Polycationic methyl phospholipids for improveddelivery of nucleic acids to eukaryotic cells

ABSTRACT

New cationic lipids are provided that are useful for delivering macromolecules, such as nucleic acids, into eukaryotic cells. The lipids can be used alone, in combination with other lipids and/or in combination with other transfection enhancing reagents to prepare transfection complexes. The present invention is in the field of molecular biology, and more particularly in the field of transfection, which utilizes new compounds and methods for the introduction of nucleic acids into eukaryotic cells.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from the U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/719,932, filed on Oct. 29, 2012, by Gebeyehu etal., and entitled “POLYCATIONIC METHYL PHOSPHOLIPIDS FOR IMPROVEDDELIVERY OF NUCLEIC ACIDS TO EUKARYOTIC CELLS,” the entire disclosure ofwhich is incorporated by reference herein, including any drawings.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of molecular biology, and moreparticularly in the field of transfection, which utilizes new compoundsand methods for the introduction of nucleic acids into eukaryotic cells.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Transfection is the process of introducing nucleic acids into eukaryoticcells by non-viral methods. This gene transfer technology uses variousphysical or chemical methods to study gene function and proteinexpression in the context of a cell. Transfection applications haveincreased due to the development of reporter gene systems and selectionmethods for stable maintenance and expression of transferred DNA. Theavailability of transfection reagents together with assay-based reportertechnology allows for the study of mammalian promoter and enhancersequences, trans-acting proteins such as transcription factors, mRNAprocessing, protein-protein interactions, translation and recombinantevents.

Transfection methods allow the introduction of negatively chargedmolecules (e.g. phosphate backbones of DNA and RNA) into cells having anegatively charged membrane. Physical methods like microinjection orelectroporation simply punch through the membrane and introduce the DNAdirectly into the cytoplasm. Chemicals such as calcium phosphate andDEAE-dextran, or cationic lipid-based reagents coat the DNA,neutralizing or even creating an overall positive charge to themolecule. The DNA-transfection reagent complex easily crosses the cellmembrane, especially for lipids that have a “fusogenic” component, whichenhances fusion with the lipid bilayer of the cell.

There is a plethora of transfection reagents based on a cationic lipidthat have been used to deliver large anionic molecules, such as nucleicacids, into certain types of cells (see Feigner et al., Nature337:387-388 (1989); Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84:7413 (1987); Behr etal., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86: 6982 (1989)). Both mono- andpolycationic lipids have been used alone or in combination with otherreagents, for delivery of these macromolecules. A large number ofcationic lipids are commercially available. These agents are not,however, universally effective in all cell types and have the addeddrawback of being toxic. In many cases, the cationic lipids have to beused in combination with other reagents such as peptides to be effectivein transfection. Moreover, these reagents require relatively complexprotocols and are inconvenient to use.

It is apparent; therefore, that there is still a need for transfectionreagents that are less toxic than the existing reagents and areuniversally effective. In particular, improved methods and transfectionreagents are needed for introducing nucleic acids into primary cells aswell as for the delivery of particular nucleic acids such as siRNA intocells.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein are new compounds, compositions and methods thatimprove the efficiency of introducing macromolecules, such as nucleicacids, into cells. New compounds are provided, together withcompositions containing these compounds and methods for using these newcompounds and compositions for transfection. The new compounds may beused alone for transfection, or they may be used in combination withadditional reagents in transfection compositions. For example, the newcompounds may be combined with one or more cationic lipids and/orneutral lipids, with one or more cell surface ligands, with one or morefusion enhancing agents, and with one or more nuclear localizationagents and one or more amphipathic peptides and any combinationsthereof. The resulting compositions may be complexed with one or moremacromolecules or nucleic acids, such as DNA or RNA, and used to deliverthese macromolecules into eukaryotic cells.

Thus, in one embodiment, the disclosure provides a compound havingFormula I:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:

each X is independently selected from —O—, —OC(O)O—, —C(O)O—, —O(O)C—,—N(R²)C(O)O—, —C(O)N(R²)—, —OC(O)N(R²)—, and —(R²)NCON(R²)—;

Y is independently (C₁-C₆)alkyl;

each R is independently selected from substituted or unsubstitutedalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted orunsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl,substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkenyl, substituted or unsubstitutedaryl, and substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl, wherein each R groupis optionally independently substituted by 1-3 substituent groups, eachsubstituent group independently selected from amino, hydroxyl,(CH₂)_(j)OR¹¹, (CH₂)_(j) C(O)R¹¹, (CH₂)_(j) C(O)OR¹¹, (CH₂)_(j)OC(O)R¹¹, (CH₂)_(j)NR¹²R¹³, (CH₂)_(j)C(O)NR¹²R¹³, (CH₂)_(j)OC(O)NR¹²R¹³,(CH₂)_(j)N¹⁴RC(O)R¹¹, (CH₂)_(j)N¹⁴RC(O)OR¹¹, (CH₂)_(j)N¹⁴RC(O)NR¹²R¹³,and (CH₂)_(j)N¹⁴RC(NH)NR¹²R¹³, wherein each j is independently aninteger selected from 0 to 6;

R¹ is independently selected from alkyl, (CH₂)_(j)OR¹¹, (CH₂)_(j)C(O)R¹¹, and CH₂CH(OH)CH₂(OH);

R² is independently selected from hydrogen and (C₁-C₆)alkyl;

R³ is independently selected from hydrogen, —(CH₂)_(j)NR¹²R¹³,—C(O)CH[(CH₂)₃NH(CH₂)₃NH₂]—[NH(CH₂)₃NH₂], —C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₃NH₂;—C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₄NH₂, —C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₃NHC(═NH)NH₂,—C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)(C₃H₃N₂), —C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₃NH₂, —C(O)CH(NH₂)CH₂NH₂,—C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₂NH₂, and —C(O)CH(NH₂)CHOH;

R¹¹, R¹², R¹³ and R¹⁴ are each independently selected from hydrogen,alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, perfluoroalkyl, and cycloalkyl, where the alkylor alkenyl is optionally substituted with one or more substituentselected from the group consisting of amino, primary amino, secondaryamino, hydroxy, alkoxy, and hydroxyalkyl.

In other embodiments, the disclosure provides compositions and methodsfor introducing a nucleic acid, protein, or peptide into a eukaryoticcell by contacting the cell with a compound of Formula I or acomposition thereof, thereby introducing the nucleic acid, protein, orpeptide into the cell.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the transfection evaluation of lipids 94-a and 94-b in 293ATCC cells. The delivery and expression of the plasmid CMV•GFP in 293ATCC cells using 94-a or 94-b was compared with LipofectAmine Differentamounts of the transfection reagents (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 μl) arecomplexed with different concentrations of DNA (5, 10, 20 μg/ml) and 10μl of the complex is applied to the cells. Florescence is measured afterincubating for the indicated time

FIG. 2 shows the transfection evaluation of lipids 94-a and 94-b in A549cells. The delivery and expression of the plasmid CMV•GFP in A549 cellsusing 94-a or 94-b was compared with LipofectAmine. Different amounts ofthe transfection reagents (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 μl) are complexed withdifferent concentrations of DNA (5, 10, 20 μg/ml) and 10 μl of thecomplex is applied to the cells. Florescence is measured afterincubating for the indicated time

FIG. 3 shows the transfection evaluation of lipids 94-a and 94-b inCHO-K1 cells. The delivery and expression of the plasmid CMV•GFP inCHO-K1 cells using 94-a or 94-b was compared with LipofectAmineDifferent amounts of the transfection reagents (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 μl)are complexed with different concentrations of DNA (5, 10, 20 μg/ml) and10 μl of the complex is applied to the cells. Florescence is measuredafter incubating for the indicated time

FIG. 4 shows the transfection evaluation of lipids 94-a and 94-b inCos-7 cells. The delivery and expression of the plasmid CMV•GFP in Cos-7cells using 94-a or 94-b was compared with LipofectAmine. Differentamounts of the transfection reagents (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 μl) arecomplexed with different concentrations of DNA (5, 10, 20 μg/ml) and 10μl of the complex is applied to the cells. Florescence is measured afterincubating for the indicated time

FIG. 5 shows the transfection evaluation of lipids 94-a and 94-b in HDFacells. The delivery and expression of the plasmid CMV•GFP in HDFa cellsusing 94-a or 94-b was compared with LipofectAmine. Different amounts ofthe transfection reagents (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 μl) are complexed withdifferent concentrations of DNA (5, 10, 20 μg/ml) and 10 μl of thecomplex is applied to the cells. Florescence is measured afterincubating for the indicated time

FIG. 6 shows the transfection evaluation of lipids 94-a and 94-b in HeLacells. The delivery and expression of the plasmid CMV•GFP in HeLa cellsusing 94-a or 94-b was compared with LipofectAmine. Different amounts ofthe transfection reagents (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 μl) are complexed withdifferent concentrations of DNA (5, 10, 20 μg/ml) and 10 μl of thecomplex is applied to the cells. Florescence is measured afterincubating for the indicated time

FIG. 7 shows the transfection evaluation of lipids 94-a and 94-b inHepG2 cells. The delivery and expression of the plasmid CMV•GFP in HepG2cells using 94-a or 94-b was compared with LipofectAmine Differentamounts of the transfection reagents (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 μl) arecomplexed with different concentrations of DNA (5, 10, 20 μg/ml) and 10μl of the complex is applied to the cells. Florescence is measured afterincubating for the indicated time

FIG. 8 shows the transfection evaluation of lipids 94-a and 94-b inMCF-7 cells. The delivery and expression of the plasmid CMV•GFP in MCF-7cells using 94-a or 94-b was compared with LipofectAmine Differentamounts of the transfection reagents (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 μl) arecomplexed with different concentrations of DNA (5, 10, 20 μg/ml) and 10μl of the complex is applied to the cells. Florescence is measured afterincubating for the indicated time

FIG. 9 shows the transfection evaluation of lipids 94-a and 94-b in NIH3T3 cells. The delivery and expression of the plasmid CMV•GFP in NIH 3T3cells using 94-a or 94-b was compared with LipofectAmine Differentamounts of the transfection reagents (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 μl) arecomplexed with different concentrations of DNA (5, 10, 20 μg/ml) and 10μl of the complex is applied to the cells. Florescence is measured afterincubating for the indicated time.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS Definitions

The term “alkyl”, alone or in combination with any other term, refers toa straight-chain or branch-chain saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon radicalcontaining the specified number of carbon atoms, or where no number isspecified, in one embodiment from 1 to about 20 (i.e. (C₁₋₂₀)alkyl), inanother embodiment from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms (i.e. (C₁₋₁₀)alkyl),and in another embodiment from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms (i.e.(C₁₋₆)alkyl).

Examples of alkyl radicals include, but are not limited to, methyl,ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl,pentyl, isoamyl, n-hexyl, lauryl, palmityl, stearyl and the like.

The term “alkenyl”, alone or in combination with any other term, refersto a straight-chain or branched-chain mono- or poly-unsaturatedaliphatic hydrocarbon radical containing the specified number of carbonatoms, or where no number is specified, in one embodiment from 2-20carbon atoms (i.e. (C₂₋₂₀)alkenyl) and in another embodiment, from 2-6carbon atoms (i.e. (C₂₋₆)alkenyl). Examples of alkenyl radicals include,but are not limited to, ethenyl, E- and Z-propenyl, isopropenyl, E- andZ-butenyl, E- and Z-isobutenyl, E- and Z-pentenyl, E- and Z-hexenyl,E,E-, E,Z-, Z,E- and Z,Z-hexadienyl, oleoyl, palmitoleoyl and the like.

The term “alkynyl,” alone or in combination with any other term, refersto a straight-chain or branched-chain hydrocarbon radical having one ormore triple bonds containing the specified number of carbon atoms, orwhere no number is specified, in one embodiment from 2 to about 20carbon atoms. Examples of alkynyl radicals include, but are not limitedto, ethynyl, propynyl, propargyl, butynyl, pentynyl and the like.

The term “alkoxy” refers to an alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl ether radical,wherein the terms “alkyl”, “alkenyl” or “alkynyl” are defined above.Examples of suitable alkyl ether radicals include, but are not limitedto, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, isobutoxy,sec-butoxy, tert-butoxy, oleyloxy, palmityloxy, palmitoleoyloxy and thelike.

The term “aryl,” alone or in combination with any other term, refers toa carbocyclic aromatic radical (such as phenyl or naphthyl) containingthe specified number of carbon atoms, in one embodiment from 6-15 carbonatoms (i.e. (C₆₋₁₅)aryl), and in another embodiment from 6-10 carbonatoms (i.e. (C₆₋₁₀)aryl), optionally substituted with one or moresubstituents selected from alkyl, alkoxy, (for example methoxy), nitro,halogen, (for example chloro), amino, carboxylate and hydroxy. Examplesof aryl radicals include, but are not limited to phenyl, p-tolyl,4-hydroxyphenyl, 1-naphthyl, 2-naphthyl, indenyl, indanyl, azulenyl,fluorenyl, anthracenyl and the like.

The term “aralkyl”, alone or in combination, means an alkyl radical asdefined above in which one hydrogen atom is phenyl, benzyl,2-phenylethyl and the like.

The term “aralkoxycarbonyl”, alone or in combination, means a radical ofthe formula —C(O)—O-aralkyl in which the term “aralkyl” has thesignificance given above. An example of an aralkoxycarbonyl radical isbenzyloxycarbonyl.

The term “aryloxy”, alone or in combination, means a radical of theformula aryl-O— in which the term “aryl” has the significance givenabove.

The term “alkanoyl”, alone or in combination, means an acyl radicalderived from an alkanecarboxylic acid, examples of which include acetyl,propionyl, butyryl, valeryl, 4-methylvaleryl, and the like.

The term “aryloxyalkanoyl” means an acyl radical of the formulaaryl-O-alkanoyl wherein aryl and alkanoyl have the significance givenabove.

The term “aralkanoyl” means an acyl radical derived from anaryl-substituted alkanecarboxylic acid such as phenylacetyl,3-phenylpropionyl (hydrocinnamoyl), 4-phenylbutyryl, (2-naphthyl)acetyl,4-chlorohydrocinnamoyl, 4-aminohydrocinnamoyl, 4-phenylbutyryl,(1-naphthyl)acetyl, 4-chlorohydrocinnamoyl, 4-aminohydrocinnamoyl,4-methoxyhydrocinnamoyl, and the like.

The term “aroyl” means an acyl radical derived from an aromaticcarboxylic acid. Examples of such radicals include aromatic carboxylicacids, an optionally substituted benzoic or naphthoic acid such asbenzoyl, 4-chlorobenzoyl, 4-carboxybenzoyl, 4-benzyloxycarbonyl)benzoyl,1-naphthoyl, 2-naphthoyl, 6-carboxy-2-naphthoyl,6-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-2-naphthoyl, 3-benzyloxy-2-naphthoyl,3-hydroxy-2-naphthoyl, 3-(benzyloxyformamido)-2-naphthoyl, and the like.

The term “aminocarbonyl” alone or in combination, means anamino-substituted carbonyl (carbamoyl) group derived from anamino-substituted carboxylic acid wherein the amino group can be aprimary, secondary or tertiary amino group continuing substituentsselected from hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl,cycloalkylalkyl radicals and the like.

The term “aminoalkanoyl” means an acyl radical derived from an aminosubstituted alkanecarboxylic acid wherein the amino group can be aprimary, secondary or tertiary amino group containing substituentsselected from hydrogen, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl radicals and thelike, examples of which include N,N-dimethylaminoacetyl andN-benzylaminoacetyl.

The term “carbocycle” refers to a non-aromatic stable 3- to 8-memberedcarbon ring which may be saturated, mono-unsaturated orpoly-unsaturated. The carbocycle may be attached at any endocycliccarbon atom which results in a stable structure. Carbocycles in oneembodiment have 5-7 carbons.

The term “cycloalkyl”, alone or in combination, means an alkyl radicalwhich contains from about 3 to about 8 carbon atoms and is cyclic.Examples of such cycloalkyl radicals include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl,cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and the like.

The term “cycloalkylalkyl” means an alkyl radical as defined above whichis substituted by a cycloalkyl radical containing from about 3 to about8, in one embodiment from about 3 to about 6, carbon atoms.

The term “cycloalkylcarbonyl” means an acyl group derived from amonocyclic or bridged cycloalkanecarboxylic acid such ascyclopropanecarbonyl, cyclohexanecarbonyl, adamantanecarbonyl, and thelike, or from a benz-fused monocyclic cycloalkanecarboxylic acid whichis optionally substituted by, for example, alkanoylamino, such as1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-naphthoyl, 2-acetamido-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-naphthoyl.

The term “cycloalkylalkoxycarbonyl” means an acyl group derived from acycloalkylalkoxycarboxylic acid of the formula cycloalkylalkyl-O—COOHwherein cycloalkylalkyl has the significance given above.

The term “basic heterocycle” refers to a stable 5-7 membered monocyclicheterocyclic ring or 8-11 membered bicyclic heterocyclic ring which iseither saturated or partially unsaturated, and which may be optionallybenzofused if monocyclic and which is optionally substituted on one ormore carbon atoms by halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, oxo, and the like, and/oron a secondary nitrogen atom (i.e., —NH—) by alkyl, aralkoxycarbonyl,alkanoyl, phenyl or phenylalkyl or on a tertiary nitrogen atom (i.e.,+N—) by oxido and which is attached via a carbon atom. Each heterocycleconsists of one or more carbon atoms and from one to four heteroatomsselected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, provided that at least oneheteroatom is a basic nitrogen atom. A heterocyclyl radical may beattached at any endocyclic carbon or heteroatom which results in thecreation of a stable structure. Heterocycles include 5-7 memberedmonocyclic heterocycles and 8-10 membered bicyclic heterocycles.Examples of basic heterocycles include imidazolinoyl, imidazolidinyl,indazolinolyl, perhydropyridazyl, pyrrolinyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl,pyrazolinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiamorpholinyl, thiazolidinyl,thiamorpholinyl sulfone, oxopiperidinyl, oxopyrrolidinyl, andoxoazepinyl.

The term “halogen” means fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.

The term “surface ligand” or “cell surface ligand” refers to a chemicalcompound or structure which will bind to a surface receptor of a cell.The term “cell surface receptor” as used herein refers to a specificchemical grouping on the surface of a cell to which the ligand canattach. Cell surface receptors can be specific for a particular cell,i.e., found predominantly in one cell rather than in another type ofcell (e.g., LDL and asialoglycoprotein receptors are specific forhepatocytes). The receptor facilitates the internalization of the ligandand attached molecules. A cell surface receptor includes but is notlimited to a folate receptor, biotin receptor, lipoic acid receptor,low-density lipoprotein receptor, asialoglycoprotein receptor,insulin-like growth factor type II/cation-independentmannose-6-phosphate receptor, calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor,insulin-like growth factor I receptor, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor,hepatocyte growth factor receptor, endothelin receptor, bile acidreceptor, bone morphogenetic protein receptor, cartilage inductionfactor receptor or glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins(e.g., β-andrenargic receptor, T-cell activating protein, Thy-1 protein,GPI-anchored 5′ nucleotidase). These are nonlimiting examples.

A receptor is a molecule to which a ligand binds specifically and withrelatively high affinity. It is usually a protein or a glycoprotein, butmay also be a glycolipid, a lipidpolysaccharide, a glycosaminoglycan ora glycocalyx. For purposes of this disclosure, epitopes to which anantibody or its fragments binds is construed as a receptor since theantigen:antibody complex undergoes endocytosis. Furthermore, surfaceligand includes anything which is capable of entering the cell throughcytosis (e.g. endocytosis, potocytosis, pinocytosis).

As used herein, the term “ligand” refers to a chemical compound orstructure which will bind to a receptor. This includes but is notlimited to ligands such as asialoorosomucoid, asialoglycoprotein, lipoicacid, biotin, apolipoprotein E sequence, insulin-like growth factor II,calcitonin gene-related peptide, thymopoietin, hepatocyte growth factor,endothelin-1, atrial natriuretic factor, RGD-containing cell adhesionpeptides and the like.

One skilled in the art will readily recognize that the ligand chosenwill depend on which receptor is being bound. Since different types ofcells have different receptors, this provides a method of targetingnucleic acid to specific cell types, depending on which cell surfaceligand is used. Thus, the preferred cell surface ligand may depend onthe targeted cell type.

The term “nuclear localization agent,” “nuclear localization signal,” or“nuclear ligand” as used herein refers to a ligand, such as a peptide,which will cause an agent covalently or non-covalently linked to it tolocalize at the cell nucleus, typically by binding a nuclear receptor.The term “nuclear receptor” as used herein refers to a chemical groupingon the nuclear membrane which will bind a specific ligand and helptransport the ligand, and accompanying linked moieties, through thenuclear membrane. Nuclear receptors can be but are not limited to thosereceptors which bind nuclear localization sequences. Nonlimitingexamples of nuclear ligands include GYSTPPKKKRKVEDP (SEQ ID NO:1),GYSTPPKTRRRP (SEQ ID NO:2), GYSTPGRKKR (SEQ ID NO:3), GYSTPRRNRRRRW (SEQID NO:4), PDEVKRKKKPPTSYG (SEQ ID NO:5), PRRRTKPPTSYG (SEQ ID NO:6),RKKRGPTSYG (SEQ ID NO:7), WRRRRNRRPTSYG (SEQ ID NO:8), andGYGPPKKKRKVEAPYKA(K)₈₋₄₀K (SEQ ID NO:9), may be used to transportnucleic acid to the nucleus.

The term “lysis agent” as used herein refers to a molecule, compound,protein or peptide which is capable of breaking down an endosomalmembrane and freeing the DNA transporter into the cytoplasm of the cell.This term includes but is not limited to viruses, synthetic compounds,lytic peptides, or derivatives thereof. The term “lytic peptide” refersto a chemical grouping which penetrates a membrane such that thestructural organization and integrity of the membrane is lost. As aresult of the presence of the lysis agent, the membrane undergoes lysis,fusion or both.

The term “polycationic nucleic acid binding moiety” as used hereinrefers to a moiety containing multiple positive charges at physiologicalpH that allow the moiety to bind a negatively charged nucleic acid. Apolycationic nucleic acid binding moiety may be linked to, for example,a cell surface ligand, a fusion agent, and/or a nuclear localizationpeptide. The linkage may be covalent. Suitable polycationic nucleic acidbinding moieties include polyamines such as PEI, spermine, spermidine,carboxyspermine and polybasic peptides containing, for example, multiplelysine, ornithine, histidine, or arginine residues.

The term “nucleic acid,” when not applied to a specific type of moleculesuch as unmodified DNA or RNA, refers to any type of nucleic acid thatpresently is known or that may be prepared or identified in the future,provided that the nucleic acid is sufficiently negatively charged toform a lipid aggregate, liposome, or liposome-like complex when admixedwith any lipid of Formula I. Nucleic acid, as used herein, refers todeoxyribonucleotides or ribonucleotides and mixtures and polymersthereof in single- or double-stranded form. The term encompasses nucleicacids containing known nucleotide analogs or modified backbone residuesor linkages, which are synthetic, naturally occurring, and non-naturallyoccurring, which have similar binding properties as a reference nucleicacid, and which are metabolized in a manner similar to a referencenucleotides. Examples of such analogs include, without limitation,phosphorothioates, phosphoramidates, methyl phosphonates, chiral-methylphosphonates, 2-O-methyl ribonucleotides, peptide-nucleic acids (PNAs).The nucleic acid may be in the form of an antisense molecule, forexample a “gap-mer” containing an RNA-DNA-RNA structure that activatesRNAseH. The nucleic acid can be, for example, DNA or RNA, or RNA-DNAhybrid, and can be an oligonucleotide, plasmid, parts of a plasmid DNA,pre-condensed DNA, product of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR),vectors, expression cassettes, chimeric sequences, chromosomal DNA, orderivatives of these groups or other form of nucleic acid molecule. Thenucleic acid may be a double-stranded RNA molecule of the type used forinhibiting gene expression by RNA interference. The nucleic acid may bea short interfering double stranded RNA molecule (siRNA). The nucleicacid molecule can also be a Stealth™ RNAi molecule (InvitrogenCorporation/Life Technologies Corporation, Carlsbad, Calif.).

Compounds of Formula I

It has been found that compounds based on a core structure of Formula Iare useful for the efficient delivery of macromolecules into eukaryoticcells. The compositions and methods are effective in a wide variety ofcells, and provide a high efficiency of transfection. These compoundsadvantageously can be used with one or more neutral lipids andadditional components such as fusogenic or fusion-enhancing molecules,additional cationic lipids, cell surface ligands, cell adhesionmolecules, amphipathic peptides and nuclear localization agents, in acomplex with the macromolecule. The complex is easily prepared bystraightforward methods and can be used on a wide variety of cells.

In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a compound of Formula I:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:

each X independently is selected from —O—, —OC(O)O—, —C(O)O—, —O(O)C—,—N(R²)C(O)O—, —C(O)N(R²)—, —OC(O)N(R²)—, and —(R²)NCON(R²)—;

Y is independently (C₁-C₆)alkyl;

each R is independently selected from substituted or unsubstitutedalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted orunsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl,substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkenyl, substituted or unsubstitutedaryl, and substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl, wherein each R groupis optionally independently substituted by 1-3 substituent groups, eachsubstituent group independently selected from amino, hydroxyl,(CH₂)_(j)OR¹¹, (CH₂)_(j) C(O)R¹¹ (CH₂)_(j) C(O)OR¹¹ (CH₂)_(j) OC(O)R¹¹,(CH₂)_(j)NR¹²R¹³, (CH₂)_(j)C(O)NR¹²R¹³, (CH₂)_(j)OC(O)NR¹²R¹³,(CH₂)_(j)N¹⁴RC(O)R¹¹, (CH₂)_(j)N¹⁴RC(O)OR¹¹, (CH₂)_(j)N¹⁴RC(O)NR¹²R¹³,and (CH₂)_(j)N¹⁴RC(NH)NR¹²R¹³, wherein each j is independently aninteger selected from 0 to 6;

R¹ is independently selected from alkyl, (CH₂)_(j)OR¹¹, (CH₂)_(j)C(O)R¹¹, and CH₂CH(OH)CH₂(OH);

R² is independently selected from hydrogen and (C₁-C₆)alkyl;

R³ is independently selected from H, (CH₂)_(j)NR¹²R¹³,C(O)CH[(CH₂)₃NH(CH₂)₃NH₂]—[NH(CH₂)₃NH₂], C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₃NH₂;C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₄NH₂, C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₃NHC(═NH)NH₂,C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)(C₃H₃N₂), —C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₃NH₂, —C(O)CH(NH₂)CH₂NH₂,—C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₂NH₂, and —C(O)CH(NH₂)CHOH;

R¹¹, R¹², R¹³ and R¹⁴ are each independently selected from hydrogen,alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, perfluoroalkyl, and cycloalkyl, where the alkylor alkenyl is optionally substituted with one or more substituentselected from the group consisting of amino, primary amino, secondaryamino, hydroxy, alkoxy, and hydroxyalkyl.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides compounds of Formula I,wherein:

each X independently is selected from —O—, —C(O)O—, —O(O)C—,—N(R²)C(O)O—, —C(O)N(R²)—, —OC(O)N(R²)—, —(R²)NCON(R²)—;

Y is independently (C₁-C₄)alkyl;

each R is independently selected from substituted or unsubstituted(C₁-C₂₀)alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted (C₂-C₂₀)alkenyl, andsubstituted or unsubstituted (C₂-C₂₀)alkynyl;

R¹ is independently selected from (C₁-C₆)alkyl, C(O)R¹¹, andCH₂CH(OH)CH₂(OH);

R² is independently selected from hydrogen and (C₁-C₄)alkyl;

R³ is independently selected from (CH₂)_(j)NH₂,C(O)CH[(CH₂)₃NH(CH₂)₃NH₂]—[NH(CH₂)₃NH₂], C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₃NH₂;C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₄NH₂, C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₃NHC(═NH)NH₂,C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)(C₃H₃N₂), —C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₃NH₂, —C(O)CH(NH₂)CH₂NH₂,—C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₂NH₂, and —C(O)CH(NH₂)CHOH;

R¹¹ is independently selected from hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)alkyl,(C₂-C₆)alkenyl, (C₂-C₆)alkynyl, trifluoromethyl, and (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides compounds of Formula I,wherein:

each X independently is selected from —C(O)O—, —O(O)C—, and —C(O)N(R²)—;

Y is independently (C₂-C₃)alkyl;

each R is independently selected from (C₁-C₂₀)alkyl, (C₂-C₂₀)alkenyl,and (C₂-C₂₀)alkynyl;

R¹ is independently selected from (C₁-C₆)alkyl, C(O)R¹¹, andCH₂CH(OH)CH₂(OH);

R² is independently selected from hydrogen and (C₁-C₂)alkyl; and

R³ is independently selected from (CH₂)_(j)NH₂,—C(O)CH[(CH₂)₃NH(CH₂)₃NH₂]—[NH(CH₂)₃NH₂], —C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₃NH₂;—C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₄NH₂, —C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₃NHC(═NH)NH₂,—C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)(C₃H₃N₂), —C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₃NH₂, —C(O)CH(NH₂)CH₂NH₂,—C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₂NH₂, and —C(O)CH(NH₂)CHOH;

R¹¹ is independently selected from hydrogen and (C₁-C₆)alkyl.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides compounds of Formula I,wherein:

each X independently is selected from —C(O)O— and —O(O)C—;

Y is independently CH₂CH₂;

each R is independently selected from (C₂-C₂₀)alkyl and (C₂-C₂₀)alkenyl;

R¹ is independently selected from CH₃, CH₂CH₃, CH₂CH₂CH₃, CH(CH₃)₂,CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃, CH₂CH(CH₃)CH₃, C(CH₃)₃, C(O)CH₃, C(O)CH₂CH₃,C(O)CH₂CH₂CH₃, C(O)CH(CH₃)₂, C(O)CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃, C(O)CH₂CH(CH₃)CH₃,C(O)C(CH₃)₃, and CH₂CH(OH)CH₂(OH);

R² is independently selected from hydrogen and CH₃, and

R³ is independently selected from —(CH₂)_(j)NH₂,—C(O)CH[(CH₂)₃NH(CH₂)₃NH₂]—[NH(CH₂)₃NH₂], —C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₃NH₂;—C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₄NH₂, —C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₃NHC(═NH)NH₂,—C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)(C₃H₃N₂), —C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₃NH₂, —C(O)CH(NH₂)CH₂NH₂,—C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₂NH₂, and —C(O)CH(NH₂)CHOH; and

R¹¹ is independently selected from hydrogen and CH₃.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides compounds of Formula I,wherein the compound of Formula I is selected from the compounds I-1through I-14:

In another embodiment, the disclosure provides compositions of acompound of Formula I and at least one or more neutral lipids.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides compositions of a compound ofFormula I and at least one or more neutral lipids, wherein the one ormore neutral lipids is selected from DOPE, DPhPE, cholesterol, DOPC,Lyso-PE (1-acyl-2-hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-phospho-ethanolamine), Lyso-PC(1-acyl-3-hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine), and3-alkoxy-2-hydroxy-1-acetamidopropane

In another embodiment, the disclosure provides compositions of acompound of Formula I, and at least one or more cationic lipids, and/orat least one or more neutral lipids.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides compositions of a compound ofFormula I, and at least one or more cationic lipids, and/or at least oneor more neutral lipids, wherein the cationic lipid is selected fromGeneIn™, LipofectAmine™ 2000, LipofectAmine™, Lipofectin®, DMRIE-C,CellFectin® (Invitrogen), Oligofectamine® (Invitrogen), LipofectAce®(Invitrogen), Fugene® (Roche, Basel, Switzerland), Fugene® HD (Roche),Transfectam® (Tranfectam, Promega, Madison, Wis.), Tfx-10® (Promega),Tfx-20® (Promega), Tfx-50® (Promega), Transfectin™ (BioRad, Hercules,Calif.), SilentFect™ (Bio-Rad), Effectene® (Qiagen, Valencia, Calif.),DC-chol (Avanti Polar Lipids), GenePorter® (Gene Therapy Systems, SanDiego, Calif.), DharmaFect 1® (Dharmacon, Lafayette, Colo.), DharmaFect2® (Dharmacon), DharmaFect 3® (Dharmacon), DharmaFect 4® (Dharmacon),Escort™ III (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.), Escort™ IV (Sigma), DOTMA, DOTAP,DMRIE, DC-Chol, DDAB, DOSPA, DOSPER, DOGS, TMTPS, TMTOS, TMTLS, TMTMS,TMDOS,N-1-dimethyl-N-1-(2,3-diaoleoyloxypropyl)-2-hydroxy-propane-1,3-diamine,N-1-dimethyl-N-1-(2,3-diamyristyloxypropyl)-2-hydroxypropane-1,3-diamine,N-1-dimethyl-N-1-(2,3-diapalmityloxypropyl)-2-hydroxypropane-1,3-diamine,N-1-dimethyl-N-1-(2,3-diaoleoyl-oxypropyl)-2-(3-amino-2-hydroxypropyloxy)propane-1,3-diamine,N-1-dimethyl-N-1-(2,3-diamyristyloxypropyl)-2-(3-amino-2-hydroxypropyloxy)-propane-1,3-diamine,N-1-dimethyl-N-1-(2,3-diapalmityloxypropyl)-2-(3-amino-2-hydroxypropyloxy)-propane-1,3-diamine,L-spermine-5-carboxyl-3-(DL-1,2-dipalmitoyl-dimethylaminopropyl-β-hydroxyethylamine,3,5-(N,N-di-lysyl)-diaminobenzoyl-glycyl-3-(DL-1,2-dipalmitoyl-dimethylaminopropyl-β-hydroxyethyl amine),L-Lysine-bis(O,O′-oleoyl-β-hydroxy-ethyl)amide dihydrochloride,L-Lysine-bis-(O,O′-palmitoyl-β-hydroxyethyl)amide dihydrochloride,1,4-bis[(3-(3-aminopropyl)-alkyl amino)-2-hydroxypropyl)piperazine,L-Lysine-bis-(O,O′-myristoyl-β-hydroxyethyl)amide dihydrochloride,L-Ornithine-bis-(O,O′-myristoyl-β-hydroxyethyl)amide dihydrochloride,L-Ornithine-bis-(O,O′-oleoyl-p-hydroxyethyl)amide dihydrochloride,1,4-bis[(3-(3-aminopropyl)-oleylamino)-2-hydroxypropyl]piperazine,L-Ornithine-bis-(O,O′-palmitoyl-β-hydroxyethyl)amide dihydrochloride,1,4,-bis[(3-amino-2-hydroxypropyl)-oleylamino]-butane-2,3-diol,1,4,-bis[(3-amino-2-hydroxypropyl)-palmitylamino]-butane-2,3-diol,1,4,-bis[(3-amino-2-hydroxypropyl)-myristyl amino]-butane-2,3-diol,1,4-bis[(3-oleyl-amino)propyl]-piperazine,L-Arginine-bis-(O,O′-oleoyl-β-hydroxyethyl)amide dihydrochloride,bis[(3-(3-aminopropyl)-myristylamino)-2-hydroxypropyl]piperazine,L-Arginine-bis-(O,O′-palmitoyl-3-hydroxyethyl)amide dihydrochloride,L-Serine-bis-(O,O′-oleoyl-β-hydroxyethyl)-amide dihydrochloride,1,4-bis[(3-(3-aminopropyl)-palmitylamino)-2-hydroxypropyl]piperazine,Glycine-bis-(O,O′-palmitoyl-β-hydroxyethyl)amide dihydrochloride,Sarcosine-bis-(O,O′-palmitoyl-β-hydroxyethyl)amide dihydrochloride,L-Histidine-bis-(O,O′-palmitoyl-p-hydroxyethyl)amide dihydrochloride,cholesteryl-3β-carboxyl-amidoethylenetrimethylammonium iodide,1,4-bis[3-myristylamino)propyl]-piperazine,1-dimethylamino-3-trimethyl-ammonio-DL-2-propyl-cholesteryl carboxylateiodide, cholesteryl-3β-carboxyamidoethylene-amine,cholesteryl-3β-oxysuccinamido-ethylenetrimethylammonium iodide,1-dimethylamino-3-trimethylammonio-DL-2-propyl-cholesteryl-3β-oxosuccinate iodide,2-[(2-trimethylammonio)-ethylmethyl-amino]ethyl-cholesteryl-3β-oxysuccinateiodide, 3β[N—(N′,N′-dimethylamino-ethane)-carbamoyl]cholesterol, and3β-[N-(polyethyleneimine)-carbamoyl]cholesterol,1,4-bis[(3-palmitylamino)propyl]piperazine,L-Ornithylglycyl-N-(1-heptadecyloctadecyl)-glycinamide,N²,N⁵-Bis(3-aminopropyl)-L-ornithylglycyl-N-(1-heptadecyloctadecyl)-glycin-amide,1,4-bis[(3-(3-amino-2-hydroxypropyl)-alkylamino)-2-hydroxypropyl]-piperazine,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(3-aminopropyl)-L-ornithyl]-N,N-dioctadecyl-L-glutamine,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(amino-propyl)-L-ornithyl]-N—N-dioctadecyl-L-α-glutamine,1,4-bis[(3-(3-amino-2-hydroxy-propyl)-oleylamino)2-hydroxypropyl]piperazine,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(amino-propyl)-L-ornithyl]-N—N-dioctadecyl-L-α-asparagine,N—[N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis[(1,1-dimethyl-ethoxy)carbonyl]-N²,N⁵-bis[3-[(1,1-dimethylethoxy)carbonyl]aminopropyl]-L-ornithyl-N—N-dioctadecyl-L-glutaminyl]-L-glutamicacid, N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(3-aminopropyl)-L-ornithyl]-N,N-diolyl-L-glutamine,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(aminopropyl)-L-ornithyl]-N—N-dioleyl-L-α-glutamine,4-bis[(3-(3-amino-2-hydoxypropyl)-myristylamino)-2-hydroxy-propyl]piperazine,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(aminopropyl)-L-ornithyl]-N—N-dioleyl-L-α-asparagine,N—[N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis[(1,1-dimethylethoxy)carbonyl]-N²,N⁵-bis[3-[(1,1-dimethylethoxy)carbonyl]aminopropyl]-L-ornithyl-N—N-dioleyl-L-glutaminyl]-L-glutamicacid, 1,4-bis[(3-(3-aminopropyl)-oleylamino)propyl]piperazine,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(3-aminopropyl)-L-ornithyl]-N,N-dipalmityl-L-glutamine,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(amino-propyl)-L-ornithyl]-N—N-dipalmityl-L-α-glutamine,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(aminopropyl)-L-ornithyl]-N—N-dipalmityl-L-α-asparagine,N—[N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis[(1,1-dimethylethoxy)-carbonyl]-N²,N⁵-bis[3-[(1,1-dimethyl-ethoxy)carbonyl]aminopropyl]-L-ornithyl-N—N-dipalmityl-L-glutaminyl]-L-glutamicacid,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(3-aminopropyl)-L-ornithyl]-N,N-dimyristyl-L-glutamine,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(amino-propyl)-L-ornithyl]-N—N-dimyristyl-L-α-glutamine,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(aminopropyl)-L-ornithyl]-N—N-dimyristyl-L-α-asparagine,1,4-bis[(3-(3-amino-2-hydroxypropyl)-palmityl-amino)-2-hydroxypropyl]-piperazine,N—[N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis[(1,1-dimethylethoxy)carbonyl]-N²,N⁵-bis[3-[(1,1-dimethylethoxy)carbonyl]aminopropyl]-L-ornithyl-N—N-dimyristyl-L-glutaminyl]-L-glutamicacid, 1,4-bis[(3-(3-aminopropyl)-myristylamino)propyl]piperazine,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(3-amino-propyl)-L-ornithyl]-N,N-dilaureyl-L-glutamine,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(amino-propyl)-L-ornithyl]-N—N-dilaureyl-L-α-glutamine,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(aminopropyl)-L-ornithyl]-N—N-dilaureyl-L-α-asparagine,N—[N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis[(1,1-dimethylethoxy)-carbonyl]-N²,N⁵-bis[3-[(1,1-dimethyl-ethoxy)carbonyl]aminopropyl]-L-ornithyl-N—N-dilaureyl-L-glutaminyl]-L-glutamicacid,3-[N′,N″-bis(2-tertbutyloxycarbonyl-amino-ethyl)guanidino]-N,N-dioctadec-9-enyl-propionamide,3-[N′,N″-bis(2-tertbutyloxy-carbonylaminoethyl)guanidino]-N,N-dipalmityl-propionamide,3-[N′,N″-bis(2-tertbutyl-oxycarbonylaminoethyl)guanidino]-N,N-dimyristyl-propionamide,1,4-bis[(3-(3-amino-propyl)-palmitylamino)propyl]piperazine,1,4-bis[(3-(3-amino-2-hydroxy-propyl)-oleyl-amino)propyl]piperazine,N,N-(2-hydroxy-3-amino-propyl)-N-2-hydroxypropyl-3-N,N-diolylaminopropane,N,N-(2-hydroxy-3-amino-propyl)-N-2-hydroxy-propyl-3-N,N-dipalmitylaminopropane,N,N-(2-hydroxy-3-aminopropyl)-N-2-hydroxypropyl-3-N,N-dimyristylaminopropane,1,4-bis[(3-(3-amino-2-hydoxypropyl)-myristylamino)-propyl]-piperazine,[(3-aminopropyl)-bis-(2-tetradecyloxyethyl)]methyl ammonium bromide,[(3-aminopropyl)-bis-(2-oleyloxyethyl)]methyl ammonium bromide,[(3-aminopropyl)-bis-(2-palmityloxyethyl)]methyl ammonium bromide,Oleoyl-2-hydroxy-3-N,N-dimethyamino propane,2-didecanoyl-1-N,N-dimethylaminopropane,palmitoyl-2-hydroxy-3-N,N-dimethyamino propane,1,2-dipalmitoyl-1-N,N-dimethylamino-propane,myristoyl-2-hydroxy-3-N,N-dimethyamino propane,1,2-dimyristoyl-1-N,N-dimethylaminopropane,(3-Amino-propyl)->4-(3-amino-propylamino)-4-tetradecyl-carbamoyl-butylcarbamicacid cholestryl ester,(3-Amino-propyl)->4-(3-amino-propylamino-4-carbamoylbutylcarbamic acidcholestryl ester,(3-Amino-propyl)->4-(3-amino-propylamino)-4-(2-dimethylamino-ethylcarbamoyl)-butylcarbamicacid cholesteryl ester, Spermine-5-carboxyglycine(N′-stearyl-N′-oleyl)amide tetratrifluoro-acetic acid salt,Spermine-5-carboxyglycine (N′-stearyl-N′-elaidyl)amidetetratri-fluoroacetic acid salt, Agmatinyl carboxycholesterol aceticacid salt, Spermine-5-carboxy-3-alanine cholesteryl estertetratrifluoroacetic acid salt, 2,6-Diaminohexanoeyl β-alaninecholesteryl ester bistrifluoroacetic acid salt, 2,4-Diaminobutyroyl3-alanine cholesteryl ester bistrifluoroacetic acid salt,N,N-Bis(3-aminopropyl)-3-aminopropionyl β-alanine cholesteryl estertristrifluoroacetic acid salt,[N,N-Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-aminoethyl]aminocarboxy cholesteryl ester,Stearyl carnitine ester, Palmityl carnitine ester, Myristyl carnitineester, Stearyl stearoyl carnitine ester chloride salt, L-StearylStearoyl Carnitine Ester, Stearyl oleoyl carnitine ester chloride,Palmityl palmitoyl carnitine ester chloride, Myristyl myristoylcarnitine ester chloride, L-Myristyl myristoyl carnitine ester chloride,1,4-bis[(3-(3-amino-2-hydroxy-propyl)-palmityl-amino)-propyl]-piperazine,N-(3-aminopropyl)-N,N′-bis-(dodecyloxyethyl)-piperazinium bromide,N-(3-amino-propyl)-N,N′-bis-(oleyloxyethyl)-piperazinium bromide,N-(3-aminopropyl)-N,N′-bis-(palmityl-oxyethyl)-piperazinium bromide,N-(3-aminopropyl)-N,N′-bis-(myristyloxyethyl)-piperazinium bromide,N-(3-aminopropyl)-N′-methyl-N,N′-(bis-2-dodecyloxyethyl)-piperaziniumbromide,N-(3-aminopropyl)-N′-methyl-N,N′-(bis-2-oleyl-oxyethyl)-piperaziniumbromide,N-(3-aminopropyl)-N′-methyl-N,N′-(bis-2-palmityloxyethyl)-piperaziniumbromide,N-(3-amino-propyl)-N′-methyl-N,N′-(bis-2-myristyloxyethyl)-piperaziniumbromide,1,4-bis[(3-(3-amino-propyl)-oleylamino)-2-hydroxy-propyl]piperazine,1,4-bis[(3-(3-aminopropyl)-myristylamino)-2-hydroxy-propyl]piperazine,or1,4-bis[(3-(3-aminopropyl)-palmitylamino)-2-hydroxy-propyl]-piperazine,2,3-dioleyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(2-hydroxy-3-aminopropyl)-diamino-butane,2,3-dipalmitoleoyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(2-hydroxy-3-amino-propyl)-diamino-butane,2,3-dimyristoleoyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(2-hydroxy-3-aminopropyl)-diamino-butane,2,3-dioleyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(3-amino-propyl)-diaminobutane,2,3-dipalm-itoleoyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(3-amino-propyl)-diaminobutane,2,3-dimyristoleoyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(3-amino-propyl)-diaminobutane,2,3-dioleyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(5-carboxamido-spermine)-diamino-butane,2,3-dipalmitoleoyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(5-carboxamidospermine)-diamino-butane,2,3-dimyristoleoyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(5-carboxamidospermine)-diaminobutane,2,3-dioleyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(lysyl)-diaminobutane,2,3-dipalmitoleoyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(lysyl)-diamino-butane,2,3-dimyristoleoyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di (lysyl)-diaminobutane,2,3-dioleyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(histidyl)-diaminobutane,2,3-dipalmitoleoyl-oxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(histidyl)-diaminobutane,2,3-dimyristoleoyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(histidyl)-diaminobutane,2,3-dioleyloxy-N,N′-dimethyl-1,4-diaminobutane,2,3-dipalmitoleoyloxy-N,N′-dimethyl-1,4-diaminobutane,2,3-dimyrist-oleoyloxy-N,N′-dimethyl-1,4-diaminobutane; PAMAMdendrimers, NH₃ core dendrimers, ethylenediamine core dendrimers,polyethylene-imine, and polyethylenimine conjugates.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides compositions of a compound ofFormula I, and at least one or more cationic lipids, and/or at least oneor more neutral lipids, wherein the one or more neutral lipids isselected from DOPE, DPhPE, cholesterol, DOPC, Lyso-PE(1-acyl-2-hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-phospho-ethanolamine), Lyso-PC(1-acyl-3-hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine), and3-alkoxy-2-hydroxy-1-acetamidopropane.

In another embodiment, the disclosure provides compositions of acompound of Formula I, and one or more polyamine transfection agents.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides compositions of a compound ofFormula I, and one or more polyamine transfection agents, wherein theone or more polyamine transfection agents is selected from dense stardendrimers, PAMAM dendrimers, NH₃ core dendrimers, ethylenediamine coredendrimers, dendrimers of generation 5 or higher, dendrimers withsubstituted groups, dendrimers comprising one or more amino acids,grafted dendrimers, activated dendrimers, polyethylenimine,polyethylenimine conjugates, polylysine, poly arginine, polyorinthineand histone.

In another embodiment, the disclosure provides compositions of acompound of Formula I, and one or more fusion agents.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides compositions of a compound ofFormula I, and one or more fusion agents, wherein the one or more fusionagents includes a polycationic nucleic acid binding moiety.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides compositions of a compound ofFormula I, and one or more fusion agents, further comprising one or morecationic lipids and/or one or more neutral lipids.

In another embodiment, the disclosure provides compositions of acompound of Formula I, and one or more cell surface ligands.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides compositions of a compound ofFormula I, and one or more cell surface ligands, wherein the one or morecell surface ligands comprises a polycationic nucleic acid bindingmoiety.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides compositions of a compound ofFormula I, and one or more cell surface ligands, further comprising oneor more cationic lipids and/or one or more neutral lipids and/or one ormore fusion agents.

In another embodiment, the disclosure provides compositions of acompound of Formula I, and one or more nuclear localization peptides orone or more protein cell surface ligands.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides compositions of a compound ofFormula I, and one or more nuclear localization peptides or one or moreprotein cell surface ligands, wherein the one or more nuclearlocalization peptides or the one or more protein cell surface ligandscomprises a polycationic nucleic acid binding moiety.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides compositions of a compound ofFormula I, and one or more nuclear localization peptides or one or moreprotein cell surface ligands, further comprising one or more cationiclipids and/or one or more neutral lipids and/or one or more fusionagents and/or one or more cell surface ligands.

In another embodiment, the disclosure provides compositions of acompound of Formula I, and one or more amphipathic peptides.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides compositions of a compound ofFormula I, and one or more amphipathic peptides, wherein the one or moreamphipathic peptide functions as a fusion agent.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides compositions of a compound ofFormula I, and one or more amphipathic peptides, wherein the one or moreamphipathic peptides are selected from: FEAALAEALAEALA (SEQ ID NO:10),Ac-LARLLPRLLARL-NHCH3 (SEQ ID NO:11), GLLEELLELLEELWEELLEG (SEQ IDNO:12), GWEGLIEGIEGGWEGLIEG (SEQ ID NO:13), GLFEALAEFIEGGWEGLIEG (SEQ IDNO:14), GLFEALLELLESLWELLLEA (SEQ ID NO:15), GGYCLEKWMIVASELKCFGNTA (SEQID NO:16), GGYCLTRWMLIEAELKCFGNTAV (SEQ ID NO:17), andWEAALAEALAEALAEHLAEALAEALEALAA (SEQ ID NO:18).

In another aspect, the disclosure provides compositions of a compound ofFormula I, and one or more amphipathic peptides, wherein the one or moreamphipathic peptides is covalently linked to a polycationic nucleicbinding moiety.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides compositions of a compound ofFormula I, and one or more nuclear localization peptides or one or moreprotein cell surface ligands, further comprising one or more cationiclipids and/or one or more neutral lipids and/or one or more fusionagents and/or one or more cell surface ligands and one/or moreamphipathic peptides

In another aspect, the disclosure provides compositions of a compound ofFormula I, and one or more nuclear localization peptides or one or moreprotein cell surface ligands, further comprising one or more cationiclipids and/or one or more neutral lipids and/or one or more fusionagents and/or one or more cell surface ligands and one/or moreamphipathic peptides wherein the one or more nuclear localizationpeptides or the one or more protein cell surface ligands comprises apolycationic nucleic acid binding moiety and wherein further the one ormore amphipathic peptides are selected from:

(SEQ ID NO: 10) FEAALAEALAEALA,  (SEQ ID NO: 11) Ac-LARLLPRLLARL-NHCH3,(SEQ ID NO: 12) GLLEELLELLEELWEELLEG, (SEQ ID NO: 13)GWEGLIEGIEGGWEGLIEG, (SEQ ID NO: 14) GLFEALAEFIEGGWEGLIEG, (SEQ ID NO: 15) GLFEALLELLESLWELLLEA,  (SEQ ID NO: 16)GGYCLEKWMIVASELKCFGNTA, (SEQ ID NO: 17) GGYCLTRWMLIEAELKCFGNTAV,  and(SEQ ID NO: 18) WEAALAEALAEALAEHLAEALAEALEALAA.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides compositions of a compound ofFormula I, and/or one or more neutral lipids and/or one or more cationiclipids and one or more of the following peptides: GYSTPPKKKRKVEDP (SEQID NO:1), GYSTPPKTRRRP (SEQ ID NO:2), GYSTPGRKKR (SEQ ID NO:3),GYSTPRRNRRRRW (SEQ ID NO:4), PDEVKRKKKPPTSYG (SEQ ID NO:5), PRRRTKPPTSYG(SEQ ID NO:6), RKKRGPTSYG (SEQ ID NO:7), WRRRRNRRPTSYG (SEQ ID NO:8),GYGPPKKKRKVEAPYKA(K)₈₋₄₀K (SEQ ID NO:9), FEAALAEALAEALA (SEQ ID NO:10),Ac-LARLLPRLLARL-NHCH3 (SEQ ID NO:11), GLLEELLELLEELWEELLEG (SEQ IDNO:12), GWEGLIEGIEGGWEGLIEG (SEQ ID NO:13), GLFEALAEFIEGGWEGLIEG (SEQ IDNO:14), GLFEALLELLESLWELLLEA (SEQ ID NO:15), GGYCLEKWMIVASELKCFGNTA (SEQID NO:16), GGYCLTRWMLIEAELKCFGNTAV (SEQ ID NO:17),WEAALAEALAEALAEHLAEALAEALEALAA (SEQ ID NO:18), INIGTTGWGDHYSLY (SEQ IDNO:19), AARSPSYYRYDYGPYYAMDYD (SEQ ID NO:20), GKWERKPIRCAS (SEQ IDNO:31), GACSERSMNFCG (SEQ ID NO:21), GACYGLPHKFCG (SEQ ID NO:22),YYCQQRSSYPYTFGG (SEQ ID NO:23), TRQARRNRRRRWRERQRGSGSG (SEQ ID NO:24),RDWSSQHPGRCNGETHLK (SEQ ID NO:25), GGGDYYCAAWDDSLNGYSVF (SEQ ID NO:26),VIVTGGDYSFALPVGQWPVMTGGA (SEQ ID NO:27), DKPSYQFGGHNSVDFEEDTLPKV (SEQ IDNO:28), HLRRLRRRLLREAEG (SEQ ID NO:29), and YYCARSGYYAMDYWGQGT (SEQ IDNO:30). In some embodiments, the above-mentioned peptides are covalentlylinked to a nucleic acid binding moiety.

In another embodiment, the disclosure provides compositions of acompound of Formula I, further comprising one or more nucleic acids.

In another embodiment, the disclosure provides compositions of acompound of Formula I, further comprising one or more nucleic acids,wherein the one or more nucleic acids are selected from DNA and RNA.

In another embodiment, the disclosure provides compositions of acompound of Formula I, further comprising one or more nucleic acids,wherein the one or more nucleic acids are selected from DNA and RNA,wherein the RNA is and RNAi molecule.

In another embodiment, the disclosure provides methods for introducing anucleic acid, protein, or peptide into a eukaryotic cell, comprisingcontacting the cell with a composition of any of the disclosedcompositions, thereby introducing the nucleic acid, protein, or peptideinto the cell.

In another embodiment, the disclosure provides methods for introducing anucleic acid, protein, or peptide into a eukaryotic cell, wherein thecell is a human cell, comprising contacting the cell with a compositionof any of the disclosed compositions, thereby introducing the nucleicacid, protein, or peptide into the cell.

In another embodiment, the disclosure provides methods for introducing anucleic acid, protein, or peptide into a eukaryotic cell, wherein thecell is an animal cell, comprising contacting the cell with acomposition of any of the disclosed compositions, thereby introducingthe nucleic acid, protein, or peptide into the cell.

In another embodiment, the disclosure provides kits including a compoundof Formula I, and one or more cationic lipids, and/or one or moreneutral lipids, and/or one or more cell surface ligands, and/or one ormore fusion agents, and/or one or more nuclear localization peptides orproteins and/or one or more amphipathic peptides.

In another embodiment, the disclosure provides methods for expressing aprotein in a cell, comprising contacting the cell with an expressionvector encoding the protein and a compound of Formula I, as describedherein, or the composition of any the disclosed compositions.

In another embodiment, the disclosure provides methods for inhibitingexpression of a protein in a cell, comprising contacting the cell withan RNAi molecule and a compound of Formula I, as described herein, orthe composition of any one of the disclosed compositions.

The skilled artisan will recognize that, although the compounds of theinvention are shown here for convenience in their neutral (unprotonated)forms, these compounds may also exist in a partially or fully protonatedform in solutions of appropriate pH, and that the present inventionencompasses the compounds in all their protonated, unprotonated, ionizedand non-ionized forms without limitation, unless specifically indicatedotherwise.

Preparation of the Compounds of Formula I

The compounds of Formula I may be synthesized using methods that arewell known in the art, as shown for example, in Schemes I and II.

Thus, in one embodiment, compound 4 has formula 4a-4e as shown below:

Compound R X Y 4a —OC(O)(CH₂)₇CH═CH(CH₂)₇CH₃ (cis) —C(O)O— —CH₂CH₂— 4b—OC(O)(CH₂)₇CH═CH(CH₂)₅CH₃ (cis) —C(O)O— —CH₂CH₂— 4c —OC(O)(CH₂)₁₄CH₃—C(O)O— —CH₂CH₂— 4d —OC(O)(CH₂)₇CH═CH(CH₂)₃CH₃ (cis) —C(O)O— —CH₂CH₂— 4e—OC(O)(CH₂)₁₂CH₃ —C(O)O— —CH₂CH₂—

In another embodiment, compound 7 has formula 7a-7e as shown below:

Compound R (cis) X Y R′ 7a —OC(O)(CH₂)₇CH═CH(CH₂)₇CH₃ —C(O)O— —CH₂CH₂——(CH₂)₄NH₂ 7b —OC(O)(CH₂)₇CH═CH(CH₂)₇CH₃ —C(O)O— —CH₂CH₂— —CH₂(C₃H₃N₂)7c —OC(O)(CH₂)₇CH═CH(CH₂)₇CH₃ —C(O)O— —CH₂CH₂— —(CH₂)₃NH₂ 7d—OC(O)(CH₂)₇CH═CH(CH₂)₇CH₃ —C(O)O— —CH₂CH₂— —CH₂CH₂NH₂

As shown in Scheme I, the phosphatidylethanol-amine analog (1) may becondensed with BOC protected carboxyspermine with the aid of aN,N-diisopropylcarbodiimide to obtain the product (2). The phosphate onthe adduct (2) may be alkylated with methyltriflate to provide thealkylated product (3) and the BOC protecting group may be removed withTFA to obtain the desired compounds (4a-e). Scheme II demonstrates thatcompounds (7a-d) may be synthesized in a similar fashion starting withthe desired amino acid.

Formulation and Use of Compounds of Formula I for Transfection

The lipids described above may be formulated by various methods to beused in transfection. One of the simplest methods for formulation isreverse evaporation. In this procedure the required amount of thecationic lipid and a co-lipid (if used, e.g. a neutral lipid) aredissolved in chloroform or other appropriate organic solvent and aretransferred into a round bottom flask. Enough molecular biology gradewater is added to make the desired concentration of total lipids/volume(e.g. 2 mg/ml) and the chloroform is then removed under vacuum (e.g. ona rotary evaporator). As the chloroform is removed liposomes are formedin the aqueous medium. Other methods for formulation that can be usedare sonication and microfluidization. In both cases the required amountof the cationic lipid and the co-lipid in a chloroform (or other organicsolvent) are transferred into a flask. The chloroform is evaporated toleave a thin film of lipid mixture in the flask. The lipid film is thenhydrated with molecular biology grade water to make the desiredconcentration and sonicated or microfluidized. In another case offormulation, the chloroform is evaporated to leave a thin film of lipidmixture in the flask and the thin film can be dissolved in ethanol orethanol water mixture to obtain the desired concentration. The ethanolicsolution can then be used in transfection.

The new lipids are formulated with one or more co-lipids, mostadvantageously neutral co-lipids, although the skilled artisan willrecognize that other lipids, including cationic lipids described above,may be used. For example, formulations where the molar ratio of cationiclipid:DOPE was varied from 3:1 to 1:16 were prepared using the abovemethods. Formulation of compounds having the structure 4 above wereprepared where the hydrocarbon chain was varied from C₁₄-C₁₈ and thehistidine, lysine, orinthine and diaminobutane analogs 7a, 7b, 7c, and7d and where the hydrocarbon chain was oleyl (C₁₈). More analogs of 7where the hydrocarbon chain was varied from C₁₄-C₁₈ were also preparedand were formulated in the same manner. Other neutral lipids such as,but not limited to, DPhPE, cholesterol, DOPC, Lyso-PE(1-acyl-2-hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine), Lyso-PC(1-acyl-3-hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine), and/or3-alkoxy-2-hydroxy-1-acetamido-propane may be used in the formulation.

The new lipids may be formulated with one or more cationic lipids and/orone or more neutral lipids. The cationic lipids may be GeneIn™,LipofectAmine™ 2000, LipofectAmine™, Lipofectin®, DMRIE-C,CellFectin®(Invitrogen), Oligofectamine® (Invitrogen), LipofectAce®(Invitrogen), Fugene® (Roche, Basel, Switzerland), Fugene® HD (Roche),Transfectam® (Tranfectam, Promega, Madison, Wis.), Tfx-10® (Promega),Tfx-20® (Promega), Tfx-50® (Promega), Transfectin™ (BioRad, Hercules,Calif.), SilentFect™ (Bio-Rad), Effectene® (Qiagen, Valencia, Calif.),DC-chol (Avanti Polar Lipids), GenePorter® (Gene Therapy Systems, SanDiego, Calif.), DharmaFect 1® (Dharmacon, Lafayette, Colo.), DharmaFect2® (Dharmacon), DharmaFect 3® (Dharmacon), DharmaFect 4® (Dharmacon),Escort™ III (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.), Escort™ IV (Sigma), DOTMA, DOTAP,DMRIE, DC-Chol, DDAB, DOSPA, DOSPER, DOGS, TMTPS, TMTOS, TMTLS, TMTMS,TMDOS,N-1-dimethyl-N-1-(2,3-diaoleoyl-oxypropyl)-2-hydroxypropane-1,3-diamine,N-1-dimethyl-N-1-(2,3-diamyristyl-oxy-propyl)-2-hydroxypropane-1,3-diamine,N-1-dimethyl-N-1-(2,3-diapalmityl-oxypropyl)-2-hydroxy-propane-1,3-diamine,N-1-dimethyl-N-1-(2,3-diaoleoyloxypropyl)-2-(3-amino-2-hydroxy-propyloxy)propane-1,3-diamine,N-1-dimethyl-N-1-(2,3-diamyristyloxypropyl)-2-(3-amino-2-hydroxypropyloxy)propane-1,3-diamine,N-1-dimethyl-N-1-(2,3-diapalmityloxy-propyl)-2-(3-amino-2-hydroxypropyloxy)propane-1,3-diamine,L-spermine-5-carboxyl-3-(DL-1,2-dipalmitoyl-dimethylaminopropyl-3-hydroxyethyl-amine,3,5-(N,N-di-lysyl)-diamino-benzoyl-glycyl-3-(DL-1,2-dipalmitoyl-dimethylaminopropyl-β-hydroxyethylamine),L-Lysine-bis(O,O′-oleoyl-3-hydroxyethyl)amide dihydro-chloride,L-Lysine-bis-(O,O′-palmitoyl-3-hydroxyethyl)-amide dihydrochloride,1,4-bis[(3-(3-aminopropyl)-alkyl amino)-2-hydroxy-propyl)piperazine,L-Lysine-bis-(O,O′-myristoyl-β-hydroxyethyl)amide dihydrochloride,L-Ornithine-bis-(O,O′-myristoyl-β-hydroxyethyl)amide dihydrochloride,L-Ornithine-bis-(O,O′-oleoyl-β-hydroxy-ethyl)amide dihydrochloride,1,4-bis[(3-(3-aminopropyl)-oleylamino)-2-hydroxy-propyl]-piperazine,L-Ornithine-bis-(O,O′-palmitoyl-β-hydroxyethyl)-amide dihydro-chloride,1,4,-bis[(3-amino-2-hydroxypropyl)-oleylamino]-butane-2,3-diol,1,4,-bis[(3-amino-2-hydroxypropyl)-palmitylamino]-butane-2,3-diol,1,4,-bis[(3-amino-2-hydroxy-propyl)-myristyl-amino]-butane-2,3-diol,1,4-bis[(3-oleylamino)propyl]piperazine,L-Arginine-bis-(O,O′-oleoyl-β-hydroxyethyl)-amide dihydrochloride,bis[(3-(3-aminopropyl)-myristylamino)2-hydroxy-propyl]piperazine,L-Arginine-bis-(O,O′-palmitoyl-β-hydroxy-ethyl)-amide dihydrochloride,L-Serine-bis-(O,O′-oleoyl-β-hydroxyethyl)amide dihydrochloride,1,4-bis[(3-(3-aminopropyl)-palmitylamino)-2-hydroxy-propyl]piperazine,Glycine-bis-(O,O′-palmitoyl-3-hydroxy-ethyl)amide dihydrochloride,Sarcosine-bis-(O,O′-palmitoyl-β-hydroxy-ethyl)amide dihydro-chloride,L-Histidine-bis-(O,O′-palmitoyl-p-hydroxyethyl)amide dihydro-chloride,cholesteryl-3β-carboxyl-amidoethylenetrimethylammonium iodide,1,4-bis[(3-myristyl-amino)propyl]-piperazine,1-dimethylamino-3-trimethylammonio-DL-2-propyl-cholesteryl carboxylateiodide, cholesteryl-3β-carboxyamidoethyleneamine,cholesteryl-3β-oxysuccinamido-ethylenetrimethyl-ammonium iodide,1-dimethylamino-3-trimethylammonio-DL-2-propyl-cholesteryl-3β-oxysuccinateiodide,2-[(2-trimethylammonio)-ethylmethylamino]ethyl-cholesteryl-3β-oxysuccinateiodide, 3β[N—(N′,N′-dimethyl-aminoethane)-carbamoyl]cholesterol, and3β-[N-(polyethylene-imine)-carbamoyl]cholesterol,1,4-bis[(3-palmitylamino)propyl]piperazine,L-Ornithylglycyl-N-(1-heptadecyl-octadecyl)glycinamide,N²,N⁵-Bis(3-aminopropyl)-L-ornithylglycyl-N-(1-hepta-decyl-octadecyl)glycinamide,1,4-bis[(3-(3-amino-2-hydroxypropyl)-alkylamino)-2-hydroxy-propyl]piperazineN²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(3-aminopropyl)-L-ornithyl]-N,N-dioctadecyl-L-glutamine,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(aminopropyl)-L-ornithyl]-N—N-dioctadecyl-L-α-glutamine,1,4-bis[(3-(3-amino-2-hydroxypropyl)-oleylamino)2-hydroxypropyl]piperazine,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(aminopropyl)-L-ornithyl]-N—N-dioctadecyl-L-α-asparagine,N—[N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis[(1,1-dimethylethoxy)carbonyl]-N²,N⁵-bis[3-[(1,1-dimethyl-ethoxy)carbonyl]aminopropyl]-L-ornithyl-N—N-dioctadecyl-L-glutaminyl]-L-glutamicacid, N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(3-aminopropyl)-L-ornithyl]-N,N-diolyl-L-glutamine,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(aminopropyl)-L-ornithyl]-N—N-dioleyl-L-α-glutamine,4-bis[(3-(3-amino-2-hydoxypropyl)-myristylamino)-2-hydroxypropyl]piperazine,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(amino-propyl)-L-ornithyl]-N—N-dioleyl-L-α-asparagine,N—[N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis[(1,1-dimethylethoxy)-carbonyl]-N²,N⁵-bis[3-[(1,1-dimethyl-ethoxy)carbonyl]aminopropyl]-L-ornithyl-N—N-dioleyl-L-glutaminyl]-L-glutamicacid, 1,4-bis[(3-(3-aminopropyl)-oleylamino)propyl]piperazine,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(3-aminopropyl)-L-ornithyl]-N,N-dipalmityl-L-glutamine,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(amino-propyl)-L-ornithyl]-N—N-dipalmityl-L-α-glutamine,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(aminopropyl)-L-ornithyl]-N—N-dipalmityl-L-α-asparagine,N—[N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis[(1,1-dimethylethoxy)carbonyl]-N²,N⁵-bis[3-[(1,1-dimethyl-ethoxy)carbonyl]aminopropyl]-L-ornithyl-N—N-dipalmityl-L-glutaminyl]-L-glutamicacid,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(3-aminopropyl)-L-ornithyl]-N,N-dimyristyl-L-glutamine,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(aminopropyl)-L-ornithyl]-N—N-dimyristyl-L-α-glutamine,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(amino-propyl)-L-ornithyl]-N—N-dimyristyl-L-α-asparagine,1,4-bis[(3-(3-amino-2-hydroxypropyl)-palmityl-amino)-2-hydroxypropyl]piperazine,N—[N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis[(1,1-dimethylethoxy)carbonyl]-N²,N⁵-bis[3-[(1,1-dimethylethoxy)carbonyl]aminopropyl]-L-ornithyl-N—N-dimyristyl-L-glutaminyl]-L-glutamicacid, 1,4-bis[(3-(3-aminopropyl)-myristylamino)propyl]piperazine,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(3-aminopropyl)-L-ornithyl]-N,N-dilaureyl-L-glutamine,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(amino-propyl)-L-ornithyl]-N—N-dilaureyl-L-α-glutamine,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(aminopropyl)-L-ornithyl]-N—N-dilaureyl-L-α-asparagine,N—[N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis[(1,1-dimethylethoxy)carbonyl]-N²,N⁵-bis[3-[(1,1-dimethylethoxy)carbonyl]aminopropyl]-L-ornithyl-N—N-dilaureyl-L-glutaminyl]-L-glutamicacid,3-[N′,N″-bis(2-tertbutyloxycarbonyl-amino-ethyl)guanidino]-N,N-dioctadec-9-enyl-propionamide,3-[N′,N″-bis(2-tertbutyloxy-carbonylaminoethyl)guanidino]-N,N-dipalmityl-propionamide,3-[N′,N″-bis(2-tertbutyloxy-carbonylaminoethyl)guanidino]-N,N-dimyristyl-propionamide,1,4-bis[(3-(3-aminopropyl)-palmitylamino)propyl]piperazine,1,4-bis[(3-(3-amino-2-hydroxypropyl)-oleylamino)-propyl]piperazine,N,N-(2-hydroxy-3-aminopropyl)-N-2-hydroxypropyl-3-N,N-diolylaminopropane,N,N-(2-hydroxy-3-aminopropyl)-N-2-hydroxy-propyl-3-N,N-dipalmitylaminopropane,N,N-(2-hydroxy-3-aminopropyl)-N-2-hydroxypropyl-3-N,N-dimyristylaminopropane,1,4-bis[(3-(3-amino-2-hydoxypropyl)-myristylamino)-propyl]-piperazine,[(3-aminopropyl)-bis-(2-tetradecyloxyethyl)]methyl ammonium bromide,[(3-aminopropyl)-bis-(2-oleyloxyethyl)]methyl ammonium bromide,[(3-aminopropyl)-bis-(2-palmityloxyethyl)]methyl ammonium bromide,Oleoyl-2-hydroxy-3-N,N-dimethyamino propane,2-didecanoyl-1-N,N-dimethylaminopropane,palmitoyl-2-hydroxy-3-N,N-dimethy-aminopropane,1,2-dipalmitoyl-1-N,N-dimethylaminopropane,myristoyl-2-hydroxy-3-N,N-dimethyamino propane,1,2-dimyristoyl-1-N,N-dimethylaminopropane,(3-Amino-propyl)->4-(3-aminopropylamino)-4-tetradecylcarbamoyl-butylcarbamicacid cholestryl ester,(3-Amino-propyl)->4-(3-amino-propyl-amino-4-carbamoylbutylcarbamic acidcholestryl ester,(3-Amino-propyl)->4-(3-amino-propyl-amino)-4-(2-dimethylamino-ethylcarbamoyl)-butylcarbamic acid cholesteryl ester,Spermine-5-carboxyglycine (N′-stearyl-N′-oleyl)amidetetratrifluoroacetic acid salt, Spermine-5-carboxy-glycine(N′-stearyl-N′-elaidyl)amide tetratrifluoroacetic acid salt, Agmatinylcarboxycholesterol acetic acid salt, Spermine-5-carboxy-3-alaninecholesteryl ester tetratrifluoroacetic acid salt, 2,6-Diaminohexanoeyl3-alanine cholesteryl ester bistrifluoroacetic acid salt,2,4-Diamino-butyroyl 3-alanine cholesteryl ester bistrifluoroacetic acidsalt, N,N-Bis(3-aminopropyl)-3-aminopropionyl 3-alanine cholesterylester tristrifluoroacetic acid salt,[N,N-Bis(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-2-aminoethyl]aminocarboxy cholesteryl ester,Stearyl carnitine ester, Palmityl carnitine ester, Myristyl carnitineester, Stearyl stearoyl carnitine ester chloride salt, L-StearylStearoyl Carnitine Ester, Stearyl oleoyl carnitine ester chloride,Palmityl palmitoyl carnitine ester chloride, Myristyl myristoylcarnitine ester chloride, L-Myristyl myristoyl carnitine ester chloride,1,4-bis[(3-(3-amino-2-hydroxypropyl)-palmitylamino)propyl]piperazine,N-(3-amino-propyl)-N,N′-bis-(dodecyloxyethyl)-piperazinium bromide,N-(3-aminopropyl)-N,N′-bis-(oleyloxyethyl)-piperazinium bromide,N-(3-aminopropyl)-N,N′-bis-(palmityloxy-ethyl)-piperazinium bromide,N-(3-aminopropyl)-N,N′-bis-(myristyloxyethyl)-piperazinium bromide,N-(3-aminopropyl)-N′-methyl-N,N′-(bis-2-dodecyloxyethyl)-piperaziniumbromide,N-(3-aminopropyl)-N′-methyl-N,N′-(bis-2-oleyloxyethyl)-piperaziniumbromide,N-(3-amino-propyl)-N′-methyl-N,N′-(bis-2-palmityloxyethyl)-piperaziniumbromide,N-(3-aminopropyl)-N′-methyl-N,N′-(bis-2-myristyloxyethyl)-piperaziniumbromide,1,4-bis[(3-(3-aminopropyl)-oleylamino)-2-hydroxy-propyl]piperazine,1,4-bis[(3-(3-aminopropyl)-myristylamino)-2-hydroxy-propyl]-piperazine,or1,4-bis[(3-(3-aminopropyl)-palmitylamino)-2-hydroxy-propyl]piperazine,2,3-dioleyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(2-hydroxy-3-aminopropyl)-diaminobutane,2,3-dipalmit-oleoyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(2-hydroxy-3-aminopropyl)-diaminobutane,2,3-dimyrist-oleoyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(2-hydroxy-3-aminopropyl)-diaminobutane,2,3-dioleyl-oxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(3-aminopropyl)-diaminobutane,2,3-dipalmitoleoyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(3-aminopropyl)-diaminobutane,2,3-dimyrist-oleoyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(3-aminopropyl)-diaminobutane,2,3-dioleyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(5-carboxamidospermine)-diaminobutane,2,3-dipalmitoleoyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(5-carboxamidospermine)-diaminobutane,2,3-dimyristoleoyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(5-carboxamidospermine)-diaminobutane,2,3-dioleyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(lysyl)-diaminobutane,2,3-dipalmitoleoyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(lysyl)-diaminobutane,2,3-dimyristoleoyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(lysyl)-diaminobutane,2,3-dioleyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(histidyl)-diaminobutane,2,3-dipalmitoleoyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(histidyl)-diaminobutane,2,3-dimyristoleoyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(histidyl)-diamino-butane,2,3-dioleyloxy-N,N′-dimethyl-1,4-diaminobutane,2,3-dipalmitoleoyloxy-N,N′-dimethyl-1,4-diaminobutane,2,3-dimyristoleoyloxy-N,N′-dimethyl-1,4-diaminobutane; PAMAM dendrimers,NH₃ core dendrimers, ethylenediamine core dendrimers,polyethylene-imine, and polyethylenimine conjugates.

Still other formulations may include transfection enhancing agents suchas a fusion agent, a cell surface ligand and/or a nuclear localizationagent such as a nuclear receptor ligand peptide, Examples oftransfection enhancing agents include, but are not limited to,reovirus-related fusogenic peptides, insulin, a transferrin, epidermalgrowth factor, fibroblast growth factor, a cell targeting antibody, alactoferrin, a fibronectin, an adenovirus penton base, Knob, a hexonprotein, a vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein, a Semliki ForestVirus core protein, a influenza hemagglutinin, a hepatitis B coreprotein, an HIV Tat protein, a herpes simplex virus VP22 protein, ahistone protein, a arginine rich cell permeability protein, a highmobility group protein, and invasin protein, and internalin protein, anendotoxin, a diptheria toxin, a shigella toxin, a melittin, a magainin,a gramicidin, a cecrophin, a defensin, a protegrin, a tachyplesin, athionin, a indolicidin, a bactenecin, a drosomycin, an apidaecin, acathelicidin, a bacteriacidal-permability-increasing protein, a nisin, abuforin, and fragments thereof.

Use of these compositions in transfection can be carried out by methodsthat are known in the art where the components of a transfection complexare mixed in differing orders prior to addition to a cell culture.Typically, a liposomal preparation of the lipid, with or withoutco-lipid is prepared, and is then mixed with a macromolecule, such as aDNA molecule or RNAi molecule to form a transfection complex. Thecomplex is then added to a cell culture and transfection is monitoredusing well known methods. Additional components such as cell surfaceligands, fusion agents, nuclear localization agents and the like may beadded to the nucleic acid prior to admixture with the liposome, or maybe added to the liposome prior to addition of nucleic acid.

Cells which can be transfected according to these methods include, butare not limited to, virtually any eukaryotic cell including primarycells, cells in culture, a passaged cell culture or a cell line, andcells in cultured tissue. Suitable cells include human cell lines andanimal cell lines. The cell may be a fibroblast. The cells can beattached cells or cells in suspension (suspension cells). In certainillustrative aspects, the cells are suspension CHO-S cells andsuspension 293-F cells. Other cells that may be used include, withoutlimitation, 293, 293-S, CHO, Cos, 3T3, Hela, primary fibroblasts, A549,Be2C, SW480, CHOK1, Griptite 293, HepG2, Jurkat, LNCap, MCF-7, NIH-3T3,PC12, C6, Caco-2, COS-7, HL60, HT-1080, IMR-90, K-562, SK-BR3, PHP1,HUVEC, MJ90, NHFF, NDFF and primary neurons.

The formulations are used in a method for producing a protein whichincludes contacting a cell with a lipid-nucleic acid complex asdescribed above, where the nucleic acid encodes the protein. The cellsare incubated to produce the protein and the protein is collected. Cellswhich can be used for protein production are described above. Inaddition, any composition which includes a lipid of Formula 4 or 7 canbe used for transfection of cells. Such compositions are furtherdiscussed herein, and include, but are not limited to compositionscomprising lipids of Formula 4 or 7, a co-lipid and an optionaltransfection enhancing agent such as a fusogenic peptide or protein.

The lipids formulated in this manner were used in transfection. Thetransfection of 293, CHO-K1, NIH3T3, Hela, A549, MCF-7, HepG2, HDF-a,and Cos-7 with green fluorescent protein reporter plasmid pCMV•GFP wascarried out using the formulations 94-a and 94-b, which contain thespermine analog Compound 4A. These results are shown in FIGS. 1-9.

Reagent Kits

Components of the transfection compositions described above can beprovided in a reagent kit. The kits contain the lipid of Formula I,together with additional components, such as a neutral lipid, a cationiclipid, cell surface ligands, fusion agents, amphipathic peptide and/ornuclear localization agents and the like. The kit components may beseparate or may be premixed in any manner. For example, the lipid ofFormula I may be admixed with one or more neutral lipid. Additionalcomponents may also be present in the same container or may be presentin one or more separate containers. The kits typically include vessels,such as vials and/or tubes, which are packaged together, for example ina cardboard box. The kits can be shipped from a supplier to a customer.For example, in one example provided herein is a kit that includes avial that includes a liposomal formulation as described above and,optionally, a transfection agent and a transfection enhancing peptide.The kit can also include, for example, a separate vessel that includes atransfection enhancing agent, such as a transfection enhancing peptide,for example Plus Reagent™ (Invitrogen Corp., Carlsbad, Calif.). The kitcan also include in separate containers, cells, cell culture medium, anda reporter nucleic acid sequence, such as a plasmid that expresses areporter gene. In certain examples, the culture medium can bereduced-serum medium and/or protein expression medium.

In one embodiment, a kit comprises individual portions of, or a mixtureof, cationic lipid, such as a lipid of Formula I, and peptide, proteinor fragment thereof or modified peptide, protein or fragment thereof. Inanother embodiment, a kit comprises individual portions of, or a mixtureof, polycationic polymers and peptide, protein or fragments thereof ormodified peptide, protein or fragments thereof. Cationic lipidtransfection kits can optionally include neutral lipid as well as othertransfection-enhancing agents or other additives, and the relativeamounts of components in the kit may be adjusted to facilitatepreparation of transfection compositions. Kit components can includeappropriate medium or solvents for other kit components.

Nucleic acids that can be transfected by the methods of this inventioninclude DNA and RNA (including RNAi/siRNA) of any size from any sourcecomprising natural bases or non-natural bases, and include thoseencoding and capable of expressing therapeutic or otherwise usefulproteins in cells, those which inhibit undesired expression of nucleicacids in cells, those which inhibit undesired enzymatic activity oractivate desired enzymes, those which catalyze reactions (ribozymes),and those which function in diagnostic assays (e.g., diagnostic nucleicacids). Therapeutic nucleic acids include those nucleic acids thatencode or can express therapeutically useful proteins, peptides orpolypeptides in cells, those which inhibit undesired expression ofnucleic acids in cells, and those which inhibit undesired enzymaticactivity or activate desired enzymes in cells. The compositions andmethods provided herein can also be readily adapted in view of thedisclosure herein to introduce biologically-active macromolecules otherthan nucleic acids including, among others, polyamines, polyamine acids,polypeptides and proteins into eukaryotic cells. Other materials useful,for example as therapeutic agents, diagnostic materials, researchreagents, which can be bound to the peptides and modified peptides andintroduced into eukaryotic cells by the methods of this invention.

The present invention, thus generally described, will be understood morereadily by reference to the following examples, which are provided byway of illustration and are not intended to be limiting of the presentinvention.

The following examples are provided in order to demonstrate and furtherillustrate certain preferred embodiments and aspects of the presentinvention and are not to be construed as limiting the scope thereof.

EXAMPLES

Unless otherwise defined, scientific and technical terms used inconnection with the disclosure shall have the meanings that are commonlyunderstood by those of ordinary skill in the art. Further, unlessotherwise required by context, singular terms shall include pluralitiesand plural terms shall include the singular. Generally, nomenclaturesutilized in connection with, and techniques of, cell and tissue culture,molecular biology, and protein and oligo- or polynucleotide chemistryand hybridization described herein are those well known and commonlyused in the art. Standard techniques are used for recombinant DNA,oligonucleotide synthesis, and tissue culture and transformation (e.g.,electroporation, lipofection). Enzymatic reactions and purificationtechniques are performed according to manufacturer's specifications oras commonly accomplished in the art or as described herein. Thenomenclatures utilized in connection with, and the laboratory proceduresand techniques of, analytical chemistry, synthetic organic chemistry,and medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry described herein are thosewell known and commonly used in the art. Standard techniques are usedfor chemical syntheses, chemical analyses, pharmaceutical preparation,formulation, and delivery, and treatment of patients.

Example 1 Synthesis of1,2-Dipalmitoleoyl-sn-glycero-3-O-methyl-phosphoethanol-amine-N-carboxylspermine(Compound 4b in Scheme I)

BOC protected 5-carboxyspermine (1.342 g, 2 mmole) was treated withN,N′-diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIPCDI) (0.358 g, 2 mmole) andN-hydroxysuccinimde (0.236 g, 2 mmole) in 10 ml of DMF/CH₂Cl₂ (1:1) for2 hrs. 1,2-Dipalmitoleyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanoleamine (DPPE) (1.0g, 1.45 mmole and diisopropylethylamine (0.56 ml, 2 mmole) weredissolved in 5 ml of DMF/CH₂Cl₂ and added to the activated acid. Thereaction mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature and dilutedwith 200 ml chloroform and extracted one time with water. The organicphase was separated and volume reduced to ˜10 ml on the rotaryevaporator and loaded on a silica flash column equilibrated withchloroform. The column was eluted using a methanol/chloroform gradient(0-20%). The fractions containing the desired material were combined andsolvent removed on the rotary evaporator to obtain a gum of compound 2(R=C₁₆H₃₁, M+ 1316.5). The gum was dissolved in 10 ml ethyl ether andtreated with 0.5 ml of methyl triflate. The reaction mixture was stirredovernight and diluted with 200 ml chloroform and extracted with 200 mlwater. The organic layer was separated and concentrated to a gum. Thegum was dissolved in 10 ml CH₂Cl₂ and treated with 5 ml trifluroaceticacid. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hr andconcentrated on the rotary evaporator. The desired1,2-dipalmitoleoyl-sn-glycero-3-O-methylphosphoethanolamine-N-carboxylspermine(4b) was obtained after subjecting the residue to flash chromatography(C18-silica, step gradient 60/40 methanol/water, 70/30 methanol/water,80/20 methanol/water to 100% methanol). It was characterized by ESMS(M+930.6).

The dioleyl (4a), dipalmitoyl (4c) and dimyristoyl (4d) analogs weresynthesized in a similar manner (Compounds 4a, 4c, and 4d in Scheme I).

In a similar fashion, compounds 7a 7d in Scheme II, were synthesizedstarting from 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DOPE) andthe corresponding BOC protected amino acid.

Example 2 Formulation of Cationic Lipids into Liposomes

The liposome was formulated using reverse evaporation. Thus, 15.89 mg ofthe trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) salt of Compound 4a (R=oleyl) and 4.10 mgof DOPE (2:1 molar ratio of TFA salt of Compound 4a:DOPE) were combinedand placed in a round bottom flask. The lipid mixture was dissolved in 2ml of chloroform. 10 ml of water was added to the chloroform solution.The chloroform was removed under vacuum on a rotary evaporator to obtaina liposome solution. The solution was adjusted to 10 ml to obtain a 2mg/ml liposome solution. This liposomal solution is designated as lipid“94-a”. In addition, a 1:1 liposomal formulation designated as lipid“94-b” was prepared as above by using 13.19 mg of Compound 4a and 6.81mg of DOPE. Similar liposomal formulations where the molar ratios variedfrom 2:1 to 1:16 (TFA salt of Compound 4a:DOPE) were prepared in thismanner. Compounds 4b, 4c and 4d were also formulated in the same mannerto provide additional liposomal formulations.

Example 3 Transfection Protocol for Liposomal Formulations 94-a and 94-b

Transfection of 8 different cell types with green florescent proteinreporter plasmid pCMV•GFP was carried out as follows:

Cells were plated in 96-well plates with 100 μl of media containing5-10% fetal calf serum the day prior to transfection such that a desiredconfluency (70%-95%) was achieved. The following day a transfectionagent that included a liposomal composition of the lipids 94-a (2 mg/ml)and 94-b (2 mg/ml) and DNA were mixed in Opti-MEM to form DNA/lipidcomplexes. Complexes were formed by adding various amounts of lipids inOpti-MEM (2 μl to 12 μl lipid to 50 μl of Opti-MEM) to 50 μl Opti-MEMDNA solution. DNA solutions were at 10, 20, 40 ug/ml. The DNA and lipidsolutions were then mixed to form DNA lipid complexes. The complexeswere incubated for at least 20 minutes after which 10 μl DNA/lipidcomplexes were added to cells. LipofectAmine™ (Invitrogen, Carlsbad,Calif.) were used as described by the manufacturer.

Cells were incubated for an additional 24 hours to 48 hrs to allowexpression of the plasmid. Total fluorescence's of each well was read ona fluorescence plate reader. The results are given in FIGS. 1-9.

Although the disclosure has been described with reference to the aboveexamples, it will be understood that modifications and variations areencompassed within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly,the disclosure is limited only by the following claims.

1. A compound of Formula I:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: each Xindependently is selected from —O—, —OC(O)O—, —C(O)O—, —O(O)C—,—N(R²)C(O)O—, —C(O)N(R²)—, —OC(O)N(R²)—, and —(R²)NCON(R²)—; Y isindependently (C₁-C₆)alkyl; each R is independently selected fromsubstituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstitutedalkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted orunsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkenyl,substituted or unsubstituted aryl, and substituted or unsubstitutedarylalkyl, wherein each R group is optionally independently substitutedby 1-3 substituent groups, each substituent group independently selectedfrom amino, hydroxyl, (CH₂)_(j)OR¹¹, (CH₂)_(j)C(O)R¹¹,(CH₂)_(j)C(O)OR¹¹, (CH₂)_(j)OC(O)R¹¹, (CH₂)_(j)NR¹²R¹³,(CH₂)_(j)C(O)NR¹²R¹³, (CH₂)_(j)OC(O)NR¹²R¹³, (CH₂)_(j)N¹⁴RC(O)R¹¹,(CH₂)_(j)N¹⁴RC(O)OR¹¹, (CH₂)_(j)N¹⁴RC(O)NR¹²R¹³, and(CH₂)_(j)N¹⁴RC(NH)NR¹²R¹³, wherein each j is independently an integerselected from 0 to 6; R¹ is independently selected from alkyl,(CH₂)_(j)OR¹¹, (CH₂)_(j)C(O)R¹¹, and CH₂CH(OH)CH₂(OH); R² isindependently selected from hydrogen and (C₁-C₆)alkyl; R³ isindependently selected from H, (CH₂)_(j)NR¹²R¹³,C(O)CH[(CH₂)₃NH(CH₂)₃NH₂]—[NH(CH₂)₃NH₂], C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₃NH₂;C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₄NH₂, C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₃NHC(═NH)NH₂,C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)(C₃H₃N₂), C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₃NH₂; C(O)CH(NH₂)CH₂NH₂,—C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₂NH₂, and —C(O)CH(NH₂)CHOH; R¹¹, R¹², R¹³ and R¹⁴ areeach independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,perfluoroalkyl, and cycloalkyl, where the alkyl or alkenyl is optionallysubstituted with one or more substituent selected from the groupconsisting of amino, primary amino, secondary amino, hydroxy, alkoxy,and hydroxyalkyl.
 2. The compound of claim 1, wherein: each Xindependently is selected from —O—, —C(O)O—, —O(O)C—, —N(R²)C(O)O—,—C(O)N(R²)—, —OC(O)N(R²)—, and —(R²)NCON(R²)—; Y is independently(C₁-C₄)alkyl; each R is independently selected from substituted orunsubstituted (C₁-C₂₀)alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted(C₂-C₂₀)alkenyl, and substituted or unsubstituted (C₂-C₂₀)alkynyl; R¹ isindependently selected from (C₁-C₆)alkyl, C(O)R¹¹, and CH₂CH(OH)CH₂(OH);R² is independently selected from hydrogen and (C₁-C₄)alkyl; R³ isindependently selected from —(CH₂)_(j)NH₂,—C(O)CH[(CH₂)₃NH(CH₂)₃NH₂]—[NH(CH₂)₃NH₂], C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₃NH₂;—C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₄NH₂, —C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₃NHC(═NH)NH₂,—C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)(C₃H₃N₂), —C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₃NH₂, —C(O)CH(NH₂)CH₂NH₂,—C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₂NH₂, and —C(O)CH(NH₂)CHOH; R¹¹ is independentlyselected from hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)alkyl, (C₂-C₆)alkenyl, (C₂-C₆)alkynyl,trifluoromethyl, and (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl.
 3. The compound of claim 2,wherein: each X independently is selected from —C(O)O—, —O(O)C—, and—C(O)N(R²)—; Y is independently (C₂-C₃)alkyl; each R is independentlyselected from (C₁-C₂₀)alkyl, (C₂-C₂₀)alkenyl, and (C₂-C₂₀)alkynyl; R¹ isindependently selected from (C₁-C₆)alkyl, C(O)R¹¹, and CH₂CH(OH)CH₂(OH);R² is independently selected from hydrogen and (C₁-C₂)alkyl; and R³ isindependently selected from —(CH₂)_(j)NH₂,—C(O)CH[(CH₂)₃NH(CH₂)₃NH₂]—[NH(CH₂)₃NH₂], —C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₃NH₂;—C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₄NH₂, —C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₃NHC(═NH)NH₂,—C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)(C₃H₃N₂), —C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₃NH₂, —C(O)CH(NH₂)CH₂NH₂,—C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₂NH₂, and —C(O)CH(NH₂)CHOH; and R¹¹ is independentlyselected from hydrogen and (C₁-C₆)alkyl.
 4. The compound of claim 3,wherein: each X independently is selected from —C(O)O— and —O(O)C—; Y isindependently CH₂CH₂; each R is independently selected from(C₂-C₂₀)alkyl and (C₂-C₂₀)alkenyl; R¹ is independently selected from—CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —CH₂CH₂CH₃, —CH(CH₃)₂, —CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃, —CH₂CH(CH₃)CH₃,—C(CH₃)₃, —C(O)CH₃, —C(O)CH₂CH₃, —C(O)CH₂CH₂CH₃, —C(O)CH(CH₃)₂,—C(O)CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃, —C(O)CH₂CH(CH₃)CH₃, —C(O)C(CH₃)₃, and—CH₂CH(OH)CH₂(OH); and R³ is independently selected from —(CH₂)_(j)NH₂,—C(O)CH[(CH₂)₃NH(CH₂)₃NH₂]—[NH(CH₂)₃NH₂], —C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₃NH₂;—C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₄NH₂, —C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₃NHC(═NH)NH₂,—C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)(C₃H₃N₂), —C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₃NH₂, —C(O)CH(NH₂)CH₂NH₂,—C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₂NH₂, and —C(O)CH(NH₂)CHOH.
 5. The compound of claim 4,wherein: each X independently is selected from —C(O)O— and —O(O)C—; Y isindependently CH₂CH₂; each R is independently selected from(C₂-C₂₀)alkyl and (C₂-C₂₀)alkenyl; R¹ is independently selected from—CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —CH₂CH₂CH₃, —CH(CH₃)₂, —CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃, —CH₂CH(CH₃)CH₃,—C(CH₃)₃ and —CH₂CH(OH)CH₂(OH); and R³ is independently selected from—(CH₂)_(j)NH₂, —C(O)CH[(CH₂)₃NH(CH₂)₃NH₂]—[NH(CH₂)₃NH₂],—C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₃NH₂; —C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₄NH₂,—C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₃NHC(═NH)NH₂, —C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)(C₃H₃N₂),—C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₃NH₂, —C(O)CH(NH₂)CH₂NH₂, —C(O)CH(NH₂)(CH₂)₂NH₂, and—C(O)CH(NH₂)CHOH;
 6. The compound of claim 1, wherein the compound ofFormula I is selected from the selected from the group consisting of:


7. A composition comprising a compound of Formula of claim 1 and one ormore compound selected from the group consisting of: i) at least one ormore neutral lipids; ii) at least one or more cationic lipids, and/or atleast one or more neutral lipids; iii) one or more polyaminetransfection agents; iv) one or more fusion agents; v) one or more cellsurface ligands; vi) and one or more nuclear localization peptides orone or more protein cell surface ligands; vii) and one or moreamphipathic peptides; viii) one or more nuclear localization peptides orone or more protein cell surface ligands, further comprising one or morecationic lipids and/or one or more neutral lipids and/or one or morefusion agents and/or one or more cell surface ligands and one/or moreamphipathic peptides; ix) one or more nuclear localization peptides orone or more protein cell surface ligands, further comprising one or morecationic lipids and/or one or more neutral lipids and/or one or morefusion agents and/or one or more cell surface ligands and one/or moreamphipathic peptides wherein the one or more nuclear localizationpeptides or the one or more protein cell surface ligands comprises apolycationic nucleic acid binding moiety and wherein further the one ormore amphipathic peptides are selected from: (SEQ ID NO: 10)FEAALAEALAEALA ,  (SEQ ID NO: 11) Ac-LARLLPRLLARL-NHCH3, (SEQ ID NO: 12)GLLEELLELLEELWEELLEG , (SEQ ID NO: 13) GWEGLIEGIEGGWEGLIEG ,(SEQ ID NO: 14) GLFEALAEFIEGGWEGLIEG ,  (SEQ ID NO: 15)GLFEALLELLESLWELLLEA ,  (SEQ ID NO: 16) GGYCLEKWMIVASELKCFGNTA ,(SEQ ID NO: 17) GGYCLTRWMLIEAELKCFGNTAV ,  and (SEQ ID NO: 18)WEAALAEALAEALAEHLAEALAEALEALAA ;

x) one or more neutral lipids and/or one or more cationic lipids and oneor more of the following peptides: GYSTPPKKKRKVEDP (SEQ ID NO:1),GYSTPPKTRRRP (SEQ ID NO:2), GYSTPGRKKR (SEQ ID NO:3), GYSTPRRNRRRRW (SEQID NO:4), PDEVKRKKKPPTSYG (SEQ ID NO:5), PRRRTKPPTSYG (SEQ ID NO:6),RKKRGPTSYG (SEQ ID NO:7), WRRRRNRRPTSYG (SEQ ID NO:8),GYGPPKKKRKVEAPYKA(K)₈₋₄₀K (SEQ ID NO:9), FEAALAEALAEALA (SEQ ID NO:10),Ac-LARLLPRLLARL-NHCH3 (SEQ ID NO:11), GLLEELLELLEELWEELLEG (SEQ IDNO:12), GWEGLIEGIEGGWEGLIEG (SEQ ID NO:13), GLFEALAEFIEGGWEGLIEG (SEQ IDNO:14), GLFEALLELLESLWELLLEA (SEQ ID NO:15), GGYCLEKWMIVASELKCFGNTA (SEQID NO:16), GGYCLTRWMLIEAELKCFGNTAV (SEQ ID NO:17),WEAALAEALAEALAEHLAEALAEALEALAA (SEQ ID NO:18), INIGTTGWGDHYSLY (SEQ IDNO:19), AARSPSYYRYDYGPYYAMDYD (SEQ ID NO:20), GKWERKPIRCAS (SEQ IDNO:20), GACSERSMNFCG (SEQ ID NO:21), GACYGLPHKFCG (SEQ ID NO:22),YYCOORSSYPYTFGG (SEQ ID NO:23), TROARRNRRRRWRERORGSGSG (SEQ ID NO:24),RDWSSQHPGRCNGETHLK (SEQ ID NO:25), GGGDYYCAAWDDSLNGYSVF (SEQ ID NO:26),VIVTGGDYSFALPVGOWPVMTGGA (SEQ ID NO:27), DKPSYQFGGHNSVDFEEDTLPKV (SEQ IDNO:28), HLRRLRRRLLREAEG (SEQ ID NO:29), and YYCARSGYYAMDYWGOGT (SEQ IDNO:30); and xi) one or more nucleic acids.
 8. The composition of claim7, wherein the one or more neutral lipids is selected from DOPE, DPhPE,cholesterol, DOPC, Lyso-PE(1-acyl-2-hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-phospho-ethanolamine), Lyso-PC(1-acyl-3-hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine), and3-alkoxy-2-hydroxy-1-acetamidopropane.
 9. (canceled)
 10. The compositionof claim 7, wherein the cationic lipid is selected from GeneIn™,LipofectAmine™ 2000, LipofectAmine™, Lipofectin®, DMRIE-C, CellFectin®(Invitrogen), Oligofectamine® (Invitrogen), LipofectAce® (Invitrogen),Fugene® (Roche, Basel, Switzerland), Fugene® HD (Roche), Transfectam®(Tranfectam, Promega, Madison, Wis.), Tfx-10° (Promega), Tfx-20®(Promega), Tfx-50® (Promega), Transfectin™ (BioRad, Hercules, Calif.),SilentFect™ (Bio-Rad), Effectene® (Qiagen, Valencia, Calif.), DC-chol(Avanti Polar Lipids), GenePorter® (Gene Therapy Systems, San Diego,Calif.), DharmaFect 1® (Dharmacon, Lafayette, Colo.), DharmaFect 2®(Dharmacon), DharmaFect 3® (Dharmacon), DharmaFect 4® (Dharmacon),Escort™ III (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.), Escort™ IV (Sigma), DOTMA, DOTAP,DMRIE, DC-Chol, DDAB, DOSPA, DOSPER, DOGS, TMTPS, TMTOS, TMTLS, TMTMS,TMDOS,N-1-dimethyl-N-1-(2,3-diaoleoyloxypropyl)-2-hydroxypropane-1,3-diamine,N-1-dimethyl-N-1-(2,3-diamyristyloxypropyl)-2-hydroxypropane-1,3-diamine,N-1-dimethyl-N-1-(2,3-diapalmityloxy-propyl)-2-hydroxypropane-1,3-diamine,N-1-dimethyl-N-1-(2,3-diaoleoyl-oxypropyl)-2-(3-amino-2-hydroxypropyloxy)propane-1,3-diamine,N-1-dimethyl-N-1-(2,3-diamyristyloxy-propyl)-2-(3-amino-2-hydroxypropyloxy)propane-1,3-diamine,N-1-dimethyl-N-1-(2,3-diapalm-ityloxypropyl)-2-(3-amino-2-hydroxypropyloxy)propane-1,3-diamine,L-spermine-5-carboxyl-3-(DL-1,2-dipalmitoyl-dimethylaminopropyl-3-hydroxyethylamine,3,5-(N,N-di-lysyl)-diamino-benzoyl-glycyl-3-(DL-1,2-dipalmitoyl-dimethylaminopropyl-3-hydroxyethylamine),L-Lysine-bis(O,O′-oleoyl-β-hydroxy-ethyl)amidedihydrochloride,L-Lysine-bis-(O,O′-palmitoyl-β-hydroxyethyl)amidedihydrochloride,1,4-bis[(3-(3-aminopropyl)-alkylamino)-2-hydroxypropyl)-piperazine,L-Lysine-bis-(O,O′-myristoyl-β-hydroxyethyl)amide dihydrochloride,L-Ornithine-bis-(O,O′-myristoyl-β-hydroxyethyl)amide dihydrochloride,L-Ornithine-bis-(O,O′-oleoyl-β-hydroxyethyl)amide dihydrochloride,1,4-bis[(3-(3-aminopropyl)-oleylamino)-2-hydroxy-propyl]piperazine,L-Ornithine-bis-(O,O′-palmitoyl-β-hydroxyethyl)amide dihydrochloride,1,4,-bis[(3-amino-2-hydroxypropyl)-oleylamino]-butane-2,3-diol,1,4,-bis[(3-amino-2-hydroxy-propyl)-palmitylamino]-butane-2,3-diol,1,4,-bis[(3-amino-2-hydroxypropyl)-myristylamino]-butane-2,3-diol,1,4-bis[(3-oleylamino)propyl]-piperazine,L-Arginine-bis-(O,O′-oleoyl-β-hydroxyethyl)amide dihydrochloride,bis[(3-(3-aminopropyl)-myristylamino)2-hydroxy-propyl]piperazine,L-Arginine-bis-(O,O′-palmitoyl-β-hydroxyethyl)amide dihydrochloride,L-Serine-bis-(O,O′-oleoyl-β-hydroxyethyl)amide dihydrochloride,1,4-bis[(3-(3-aminopropyl)-palmitylamino)-2-hydroxypropyl]piperazine,Glycine-bis-(O,O′-palmitoyl-β-hydroxy-ethyl)amide dihydrochloride,Sarcosine-bis-(O,O′-palmitoyl-β-hydroxyethyl)amide dihydrochloride,L-Histidine-bis-(O,O′-palmitoyl-β-hydroxyethyl)amide dihydrochloride,cholesteryl-3β-carboxyl-amidoethylenetrimethylammonium iodide,1,4-bis[(3-myristyl-amino)-propyl]-piperazine,1-dimethylamino-3-trimethylammonio-DL-2-propyl-cholesteryl carboxylateiodide, cholesteryl-3β-carboxyamidoethyleneamine,cholesteryl-3β-oxysuccinamido-ethylene-trimethylammonium iodide,1-dimethylamino-3-trimethylammonio-DL-2-propyl-cholesteryl-3β-oxysuccinateiodide,2-[(2-trimethylammonio)-ethylmethyl-amino]ethyl-cholesteryl-3β-oxysuccinateiodide, 3β[N—(N′,N′-dimethylamino-ethane)-carbamoyl]cholesterol, and3β-[N-(polyethyleneimine)-carbamoyl]cholesterol,1,4-bis[(3-palmitylamino)propyl]piperazine,L-Ornithylglycyl-N-(1-heptadecyloctadecyl)-glycinamide,N²,N⁵-Bis(3-aminopropyl)-L-ornithyl-glycyl-N-(1-heptadecyloctadecyl)-glycinamide,1,4-bis[(3-(3-amino-2-hydroxypropyl)-alkylamino)-2-hydroxypropyl]-piperazine,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(3-aminopropyl)-L-ornithyl]-N,N-diocta-decyl-L-glutamine,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(aminopropyl)-L-ornithyl]-N—N-dioctadecyl-L-α-glutamine,1,4-bis[(3-(3-amino-2-hydroxypropyl)-oleylamino)2-hydroxypropyl]piperazine,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(amino-propyl)-L-ornithyl]-N—N-dioctadecyl-L-α-asparagine,N—[N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis[(1,1-dimethyl-ethoxy)carbonyl]-N²,N⁵-bis[3-[(1,1-dimethylethoxy)carbonyl]aminopropyl]-L-ornithyl-N—N-dioctadecyl-L-glutaminyl]-L-glutamicacid, N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(3-aminopropyl)-L-ornithyl]-N,N-diolyl-L-glutamine,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(aminopropyl)-L-ornithyl]-N—N-dioleyl-L-α-glutamine,4-bis[(3-(3-amino-2-hydoxypropyl)-myristylamino)-2-hydroxy-propyl]piperazine,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(aminopropyl)-L-ornithyl]-N—N-dioleyl-L-α-asparagine,N—[N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis[(1,1-dimethylethoxy)carbonyl]-N²,N⁵-bis[3-[(1,1-dimethylethoxy)carbonyl]aminopropyl]-L-ornithyl-N—N-dioleyl-L-glutaminyl]-L-glutamicacid, 1,4-bis[(3-(3-aminopropyl)-oleyl-amino)-propyl]piperazine,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(3-aminopropyl)-L-ornithyl]-N,N-dipalmityl-L-glutamine,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(amino-propyl)-L-ornithyl]-N—N-dipalmityl-L-α-glutamine,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(amino-propyl)-L-ornithyl]-N—N-dipalmityl-L-α-asparagine,N—[N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis[(1,1-dimethylethoxy)-carbonyl]-N²,N⁵-bis[3-[(1,1-dimethylethoxy)carbonyl]aminopropyl]-L-ornithyl-N—N-dipalmityl-L-glutaminyl]-L-glutamicacid,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(3-aminopropyl)-L-ornithyl]-N,N-dimyristyl-L-glutamine,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(aminopropyl)-L-ornithyl]-N—N-dimyristyl-L-α-glutamine,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(aminopropyl)-L-ornithyl]-N—N-dimyristyl-L-α-asparagine,1,4-bis[(3-(3-amino-2-hydroxy-propyl)-palmitylamino)-2-hydroxypropyl]-piperazine,N—[N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis[(1,1-dimethyl-ethoxy)carbonyl]-N²,N⁵-bis[3-[(1,1-dimethylethoxy)carbonyl]aminopropyl]-L-ornithyl-N—N-dimyristyl-L-glutaminyl]-L-glutamicacid, 1,4-bis[(3-(3-aminopropyl)-myristyl-amino)-propyl]piperazine,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(3-aminopropyl)-L-ornithyl]-N,N-dilaureyl-L-glutamine,N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis(amino-propyl)-L-ornithyl]-N—N-dilaureyl-L-α-glutamine,N²—[N²,N⁵Bis-(amino-propyl)-L-ornithyl]-N—N-dilaureyl-L-α-asparagine,N—[N²—[N²,N⁵-Bis[(1,1-dimethylethoxy)-carbonyl]-N²,N⁵-bis[3-[(1,1-dimethylethoxy)carbonyl]aminopropyl]-L-ornithyl-N—N-dilaureyl-L-glutaminyl]-L-glutamicacid,3-[N′,N″-bis(2-tertbutyloxycarbonyl-amino-ethyl)guanidino]-N,N-dioctadec-9-enylpropionamide,3-[N′,N″-bis(2-tertbutyloxy-carbonylamino-ethyl)guanidino]-N,N-dipalmitylpropionamide,3-[N′,N″-bis(2-tertbutyl-oxycarbonyl-aminoethyl)guanidino]-N,N-dimyristylpropionamide,1,4-bis[(3-(3-amino-propyl)-palmityl-amino)propyl]piperazine,1,4-bis[(3-(3-amino-2-hydroxypropyl)-oleyl-amino)propyl]piperazine,N,N-(2-hydroxy-3-aminopropyl)-N-2-hydroxypropyl-3-N,N-diolylaminopropane,N,N-(2-hydroxy-3-aminopropyl)-N-2-hydroxypropyl-3-N,N-dipalmitylaminopropane,N,N-(2-hydroxy-3-aminopropyl)-N-2-hydroxypropyl-3-N,N-dimyristylaminopropane,1,4-bis[(3-(3-amino-2-hydoxypropyl)-myristylamino)-propyl]piperazine,[(3-aminopropyl)-bis-(2-tetradecyloxyethyl)]methyl ammonium bromide,[(3-aminopropyl)-bis-(2-oleyloxyethyl)]methyl ammonium bromide,[(3-aminopropyl)-bis-(2-palmityloxyethyl)]methyl ammonium bromide,oleoyl-2-hydroxy-3-N,N-dimethyamino propane,2-didecanoyl-1-N,N-dimethylaminopropane,palmitoyl-2-hydroxy-3-N,N-dimethyamino propane,1,2-dipalmitoyl-1-N,N-dimethylamino-propane,myristoyl-2-hydroxy-3-N,N-dimethyamino propane,1,2-dimyristoyl-1-N,N-dimethylaminopropane,(3-amino-propyl)->4-(3-amino-propylamino)-4-tetradecyl-carbamoyl-butylcarbamicacid cholestryl ester,(3-Amino-propyl)->4-(3-amino-propylamino-4-carbamoylbutylcarbamic acidcholestryl ester,(3-Amino-propyl)->4-(3-amino-propylamino)-4-(2-dimethylamino-ethylcarbamoy-l)-butylcarbamicacid cholesteryl ester, Spermine-5-carboxyglycine(N′-stearyl-N′-oleyl)amide tetratrifluoro-acetic acid salt,Spermine-5-carboxyglycine (N′-stearyl-N′-elaidyl)amidetetratri-fluoroacetic acid salt, Agmatinyl carboxycholesterol aceticacid salt, Spermine-5-carboxy-3-alanine cholesteryl estertetratrifluoroacetic acid salt, 2,6-Diaminohexanoeyl β-alaninecholesteryl ester bistrifluoroacetic acid salt, 2,4-Diaminobutyroylβ-alanine cholesteryl ester bistrifluoroacetic acid salt,N,N-Bis(3-aminopropyl)-3-aminopropionyl β-alanine cholesteryl estertristrifluoroacetic acid salt,[N,N-Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-aminoethyl]aminocarboxy cholesteryl ester,Stearyl carnitine ester, Palmityl carnitine ester, Myristyl carnitineester, Stearyl stearoyl carnitine ester chloride salt, L-StearylStearoyl Carnitine Ester, Stearyl oleoyl carnitine ester chloride,Palmityl palmitoyl carnitine ester chloride, Myristyl myristoylcarnitine ester chloride, L-Myristyl myristoyl carnitine ester chloride,1,4-bis[(3-(3-amino-2-hydroxypropyl)-palmityl-amino)propyl]-piperazine,N-(3-aminopropyl)-N,N′-bis-(dodecyloxyethyl)-piperazinium bromide,N-(3-aminopropyl)-N,N′-bis-(oleyloxyethyl)-piperazinium bromide,N-(3-aminopropyl)-N,N′-bis-(palmityloxyethyl)-piperazinium bromide,N-(3-aminopropyl)-N,N′-bis-(myristyloxyethyl)-piperazinium bromide,N-(3-aminopropyl)-N′-methyl-N,N′-(bis-2-dodecyloxyethyl)-piperaziniumbromide,N-(3-aminopropyl)-N′-methyl-N,N′-(bis-2-oleyloxyethyl)-piperaziniumbromide,N-(3-aminopropyl)-N′-methyl-N,N′-(bis-2-palmityloxyethyl)-piperaziniumbromide,N-(3-aminopropyl)-N′-methyl-N,N′-(bis-2-myristyloxyethyl)-piperaziniumbromide,1,4-bis[(3-(3-aminopropyl)-oleylamino)-2-hydroxy-propyl]piperazine,1,4-bis[(3-(3-aminopropyl)-myristylamino)-2-hydroxy-propyl]piperazine,or1,4-bis[(3-(3-aminopropyl)-palmitylamino)-2-hydroxypropyl]-piperazine,2,3-dioleyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(2-hydroxy-3-aminopropyl)-diaminobutane,2,3-dipalmitoleoyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(2-hydroxy-3-amino-propyl)-diaminobutane,2,3-dimyristoleoyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(2-hydroxy-3-aminopropyl)-diaminobutane,2,3-dioleyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(3-amino-propyl)-diaminobutane,2,3-dipalmitoleoyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(3-amino-propyl)-diamino-butane,2,3-dimyristoleoyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(3-amino-propyl)-diaminobutane,2,3-dioleyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(5-carboxamido-spermine)-diaminobutane,2,3-dipalm-itoleoyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(5-carboxamidospermine)-diaminobutane,2,3-dimyrist-oleoyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(5-carboxamidospermine)-diaminobutane,2,3-dioleyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(lysyl)-diaminobutane,2,3-dipalmitoleoyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(lysyl)-diaminobutane,2,3-dimyristoleoyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(lysyl)-diamino-butane,2,3-dioleyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(histidyl)-diaminobutane,2,3-dipalmitoleoyl-oxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(histidyl)-diaminobutane,2,3-dimyristoleoyloxy-1,4-N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di(histidyl)-diaminobutane,2,3-dioleyloxy-N,N′-dimethyl-1,4-diaminobutane,2,3-dipalmitoleoyloxy-N,N′-dimethyl-1,4-diaminobutane,2,3-dimyrist-oleoyloxy-N,N′-dimethyl-1,4-diaminobutane; PAMAMdendrimers, NH₃ core dendrimers, ethylenediamine core dendrimers,polyethylenimine, and polyethylenimine conjugates.
 11. The compositionof claim 7, wherein the one or more neutral lipids is selected fromDOPE, DPhPE, cholesterol, DOPC, Lyso-PE(1-acyl-2-hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-phospho-ethanolamine), Lyso-PC(1-acyl-3-hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine), and3-alkoxy-2-hydroxy-1-acetamidopropane.
 12. The composition of claim 11,wherein the alkyl group of the alkoxy is selected form oleyl, palmityl,palmitoleoyl, myristoleyl, myristyl, and lauryl.
 13. (canceled)
 14. Thecomposition of claim 7, wherein the one or more polyamine transfectionagents is selected from dense star dendrimers, PAMAM dendrimers, NH₃core dendrimers, ethylenediamine core dendrimers, dendrimers ofgeneration 5 or higher, dendrimers with substituted groups, dendrimerscomprising one or more amino acids, grafted dendrimers, activateddendrimers, polyethylenimine, polyethylenimine conjugates, polylysine,polyarginine, polyorinthine, and histone.
 15. (canceled)
 16. Thecomposition of claim 7, wherein the one or more fusion agents comprisesa polycationic nucleic acid binding moiety.
 17. The composition of claim7, further comprising one or more cationic lipids and/or one or moreneutral lipids.
 18. (canceled)
 19. The composition of claim 7, whereinthe one or more cell surface ligands comprises a polycationic nucleicacid binding moiety. 20-21. (canceled)
 22. The composition of claim 7,wherein the one or more nuclear localization peptides or the one or moreprotein cell surface ligands comprises a polycationic nucleic acidbinding moiety.
 23. The composition of claim 7, further comprising oneor more cationic lipids and/or one or more neutral lipids and/or one ormore fusion agents and/or one or more cell surface ligands. 24-25.(canceled)
 26. The composition of claim 7, wherein the one or moreamphipathic peptides are selected from: FEAALAEALAEALA (SEQ ID NO:10),Ac-LARLLPRLLARL-NHCH3 (SEQ ID NO:11), GLLEELLELLEELWEELLEG (SEQ IDNO:12), GWEGLIEGIEGGWEGLIEG (SEQ ID NO:13), GLFEALAEFIEGGWEGLIEG (SEQ IDNO:14), GLFEALLELLESLWELLLEA (SEQ ID NO:15), GGYCLEKWMIVASELKCFGNTA (SEQID NO:16), GGYCLTRWMLIEAELKCFGNTAV (SEQ ID NO:17), andWEAALAEALAEALAEHLAEALAEALEALAA (SEQ ID NO:18).
 27. The composition ofclaim 7, wherein the one or more amphipathic peptides is covalentlylinked to a polycationic nucleic binding moiety. 28-30. (canceled) 31.The compositions of claim 7, the peptide is covalently linked to anucleic acid binding moiety.
 32. (canceled)
 33. The composition of claim7, wherein the one or more nucleic acids are selected from DNA and RNA.34. The composition of claim 33, wherein the RNA is and RNAi molecule.35. A method of introducing a nucleic acid, protein, or peptide into aeukaryotic cell, comprising contacting the cell with a composition ofclaim 6, thereby introducing the nucleic acid, protein, or peptide intothe cell. 36-38. (canceled)
 39. A method of expressing a protein in acell, comprising contacting the cell with an expression vector encodingthe protein and a compound of Formula I of claim 1 or the composition ofclaim
 6. 40. A method of inhibiting expression of a protein in a cell,comprising contacting the cell with an RNAi molecule and a compound ofFormula I of claim 1 or the composition of claim 6.